■■♦«• 


COL.  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  FLOWERS 
MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 


TRINITY  COLLEGE  LIBRARY 
DURHAM,  N.C. 


The  Gift  of _ 


7).  91.  J&u 


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PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD   SCHOOL 


OF    THE 


UNITED  STATES 


INCLUDING   A  BRIEF  TREATISE  ON  THE  SUBJECT  OF  DEACONS,    THEIR 
DUTIES,    ETC.,   WITH   SOME    PERSONAL    MENTION 
OF    THESE     OFFICERS; 


BRIEF    SKETCHES    OF   A    FEW    OF    OUR    TALENTED    AND  SPIRITUALLY- 
MINDED  SISTERS  AND    "MOTHERS   IN    ISRAEL" 
TOGETHER    WITH    AN 


APPENDIX 

OF  MUCH  USEFUL  INFORMATION  AND 
MANY  ILLUSTRATIONS 


EDITED      BY 


R.    H.    PITTMAN 


PUBLISHER  ELECTROTYPES, 

HERALD     PUBLISHING     CO.  INDIANA   ELECTROTYPE   CO. 

ANDERSON,    IND.  INDIANAPOLIS,    IND. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1909,  by  R.  H.  Pittman,  in 
the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C. 


PREFACE. 


SCHOOL  OF  RELIGION 

PREFACE 




When  the  legal  dispensation  with  its  types  and  shadows,  its  tabernacle  and 
temple  ceremonies,  had  served  the  purpose  for  which  God  had  ordained  them,  viz, 
for  the  teaching  and  leading  and  pointing  His  chosen  people  to  Jesus  as  the 
anti-type  of  all  types — the  substance  of  all  shadows,  it  was  then  that  old  things — 
under  the  law — passed  away,  and  all  things — under  the  gospel — became  new. 
The  Law  being  fulfilled  in  Christ  its  ceremonies  were  abolished  and  its  shadows 
became  more  defined  as  the  Son  of  Righteousness  arose  with  healing  in  His 
wing,  and  in  their  place  was  established  the  church  with  its  simple,  spiritual 
worship.  And  among  the  gifts  our  Divine  Saviour  obtained  for  His  church  when 
He  ascended  on  high,  and  which  are  to  be  perpetuated  till  the  completion  of  her 
members  and  the  perfect  unity  of  the  body,  is  that  of  faithful  pastors. 

To  treat  of  these  pastors — those  of  our  day  and  and  in  our  own  country — is 
the  chief  object  of  this  book.  While  the  stamp  of  imperfection  is  found  upon  each 
and  none  are  more  free  to  admit  it  than  themselves,  yet,  it  is  doubted  if  a  more 
worthy,  faithful  and  self-sacrificing  body  of  men  could  be  found.  Without  any 
guarantee  from  men  of  a  salary  or  maintenance,  they,  like  the  Primitive  preach- 
ers, go  forward  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  their  high  calling  as  they  see 
it,  walking  by  faith  and  depending  upon  Him  who  does  all  His  pleasure  in  the 
army  of  Heaven  and  among  the  inhabitants  of  earth,  and  who  has  promised  to 
be  with  them  alway,  even  unto  the  end.  And  as  a  body  of  believers,  bearing  a 
denominational  name,  they  stand  entirely  alone  in  defense  of  this  faith  and 
practice  of  the  Apostolic  Church.  No  other  denomination  and  perhaps  all  others 
combined,  can  show  as  many  pastors  of  the  apostolic  order  and  "missionaries" 
laboring  on  the  Bible  plan,  as  the  Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptist, — Men  who 
are  not  hired  to  preach,  nor  who  can  be  hired  to  quit  preaching,  but  whose  serv- 
ice in  the  Master's  vineyard  is  a  labor  of  love  freely  offered  upon  the  altar  of 
gratitude  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  benefit  of  men. 

God  calls  such  into  his  service.  He  must  or  none  would  go.  The  natural 
mind  runs  not  in  that  direction,  and  it  is  as  true  today  as  it  has  ever  been  that 
"No  man  taketh  this  honor  unto  himself,  but  he  that  is  called  of  God,  as  was 
Aaron."  The  true  undershepherd  is  chosen  and  called.  Christ  said  to  His 
servants,  "Ye  have  not  chosen  me,  but  I  have  chosen  you,  and  ordained  you, 
that  ye  should  go  and  bring  forth  fruit."  The  apostles,  the  prophets,  evangelists, 
pastors  and  teachers  are  all  gifts  from  the  Lord— not  for  the  eternal  salvation 
of  sinners  but  for  "the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry  for 
the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ." 

And  as  their  calling  is  not  from  men  neither  do  they  get  their  qualifications 
from  men.  Evidently  it  is  true,  if  we  accept  the  Bible  as  authority  on  the  subject, 
that  all  the  diplomas  from  all  theological  seminaries  cannot  confer  upon  one  the 
gift  of  preaching.  Nor  will  the  application  of  high  sounding  titles  such  as  "Rev.," 
"Rt.  Rev.,"  "D.  D.,"  and  "LL.  D."  be  of  any  assistance  in  the  sacred  work.  In 
the  language  of  Mr.  Spurgeon,  "the  title  D.  D.  may  mean  Doctor  of  Damnation." 
At  any  rate  the  world  no  more  needs  a  literary  ministry  than  it  needed  a  literary 
Christ.  The  truthfulness  of  this  statement  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  Christ 
chose  none  of  His  Apostles,  with  the  single  exception  of  Paul,  from  the  ranks  oi 
the  learned,  nor  did  he  train  to  literary  authorship  nor  give  them  one  single 
express  command  to  labor  in  that  way. 


180582 


8  PREFACE. 

The  reply  of  Elder  P.  D.  Gold,  of  North  Carolina,  to  Wm.  Hooper,  D.  D.,  LL.  D. 
a  prominent  New  School  Baptist,  so  fully  sets  forth  the  view  of  our  people  on 
the  question  of  an  educated  ministry  that  the  editor  quotes  from  it  as  follows: 

"You  say,  Were  there  not  schools  of  the  prophets?  Well,  it  seems  to  me 
that  the  prophets  can  give  as  sensible  an  account  of  their  call  as  any  one  can  give 
for  them.  Do  any  of  them  ever  tell  us  that  they  were  called  out  of  any  school, 
or  ever  were  called  to  go  to  any  such  a  place?  They  spake  as  they  were  moved 
by  the  Holy  Ghost.  But  it  is  asked.  Were  not  the  disciples  with  Jesus  three 
years  before  they  began  to  preach?  If  they  are  not  with  Him  all  their  lives, 
what  is  their  preaching  worth?  Are  the  schools  in  the  place  of  Jesus,  or  is  He 
to  be  found  by  going  to  them?  And  is  that  the  way  to  get  to  Christ?  But  you 
say,  Will  not  human  learning  aid  man  in  preaching  the  gospel — will  it  not  give 
him  words  and  power  over  men's  minds,  and  enable  him  to  preach  the  gospel 
in  a  more  attractive  form?  I  am  free  to  admit  the  value  of  human  learning  in 
man's  earthly  affairs,  and  heartily  commend  its  acquisition  in  that  sense.  But 
what  does  inspiration  say  about  spiritual  things  and  how  they  are  spoken? 
'Which  things  also  we  speak,  not  in  the  words  which  man's  wisdom  teacheth, 
but  which  the  Holy  Ghost  teacheth;  comparing  spiritual  things  with  spiritual.' 
When  the  Lord  calls  a  learned  man  (though  He  does  not  call  many),  that  man 
glories  in  becoming  a  fool  that  he  may  win  Christ.  Human  learning  makes  no 
part  of  the  new  man,  and  the  saint  who  has  human  learning  is  just  as  weak  and 
dependent  on  God  for  his  crumb  as  any  other,  and  all  are  fed  with  the  same  kind 
of  food.  But  say  you,  After  one  is  certainly  called  to  preach,  cannot  the  schools 
polish  him,  and  give  him  more  influence  over  men,  and  enable  him  better  to 
command  their  respect,  by  keeping  pace  with  human  learning?  Tell  me,  from 
Scripture,  where  one  ever  tried  it,  or  where  it  was  ever  authorized.  How  much 
can  frail  man  add  to  God's  gift?  How  much  pride  do  you  think  is  necessary  to 
influence  man  to  presume  such  a  task?  Do  not  the  Scriptures  pointedly  forbid 
the  employment  of  worldly  weapons  in  building  up  Christ's  kingdom?  Is  the 
minister  of  Christ  to  suit  his  message  to  proud  man's  taste?  'We  speak  wisdom 
to  them  that  are  perfect,  but  not  wisdom  to  this  world.'  It  seems  to  me  that 
the  Scriptures  make  some  allusions  to  theological  schools,  though  in  the  way  of 
alarm.  'But  the  time  will  come  when  they  will  not  endure  sound  doctrine,  but 
after  their  own  lusts  will  heap  to  themselves  teachers  having  itching  ears.' 
Much  as  the  Bible  is  talked  of,  its  doctrine  is  not  endured;  but  this  progressive 
age  calls  for  theological  schools  that  shall  enlighten  men  to  preach  doctrines 
suitable  to  men's  lusts.  Men  who  have  devoted  so  much  time  and  labor  in  the 
preparation  for  the  ministry,  are  worthy  of  positions  of  influence  and  profit. 
The  teachers  come  down  from  these  schools  dosed  with  a  sort  of  preparation 
from  dead  men's  brains  that  will  make  them  sick  enough  if  God  should  ever 
teach  them  where  their  dependence  lies.  How  do  these  schools  heap  up  teachers? 
They  furnish  opportunities  for  obtaining  an  education,  open  the  way  to  positions 
of  honor  and  reward,  so  that  there  is  but  little  trouble  attending  the  road,  and 
if  money  enough  could  be  commanded  it  would  be  difficult  to  tell  how  many 
would  be  heaped  up;  but  they  shall  have  itching  ears,  and  shall  turn  away  their 
ears  from  the  truth,  and  shall  be  turned  unto  fables.  The  doctrines  and  fables  of 
men  are  accepted.  Andrew  Puller  becomes' a  wonderful  standard.  He  takes 
repentance  and  faith  out  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  and  puts  them  under  the  law, 
in  the  sense  that  he  makes  them  man's  duty,  and  not  gifts  of  grace.  If  salvation 
comes  on  account  of  man's  performance  of  his  duty,  it  is  of  works  in  some  sense. 
He  brings  in  the  modern  missionary  enterprise,  a  system  somewhat  like  the 
popish  measures  for  propogating  their  creed,  but  unknown  to  the  Bible  and  to 
Baptists,  and  is  a  disturber  of  gospel  peace  and  order  among  churches.  His 
followers  have  departed  from  the  truth  further  than  he  did  as  he  refused  flattering 


PREFACE. 


titles  which  they  accept  for  modesty's  sake  without  much  urging,  and  they  do 
not  preach  salvation  as  nearly  by  grace  as  he  did,  so  they  are  waxing  worse  and 
worse.  As  the  world  is  to  be  evangelized,  the  tender  mind  of  the  young  must  be 
converted  by  means  of  the  newly  invented  Sunday  Schools,  and  humanly  pre- 
pared preachers  must  be  sent  to  the  heathen.  Some  man  must  hold  the  hand 
of  the  missionary  while  he  goes  down  into  the  wells,  and  he  must  see  how  his 
bread  comes  before  he  goes;  and  your  churches  combine  in  forming  such  tre- 
mendous agencies  of  power  as  your  conventions,  while  you  all  glory  in  the 
fruits  of  your  wise  system.  That  your  denomination  generally  indorse  your 
system  is  manifest  and  what  little  I  write  may  only  have  the  effect  of  influencing 
them  to  fall  down  before  their  idols,  and  shout  in  louder  strains,  'Great  is 
Diana  of  the  Ephesians.'  " 

In  setting  no  value  upon  Theological  Seminaries,  Colleges,  etc.,  in  qualifying 
men  for  ministerial  duties,  the  Editor,  and  those  he  represents,  would  not  be 
understood  to  oppose  or  undervalue  human  learning.  On  the  other  hand  the 
Baptists  have  ever  been  warm  friends  of  education,  and  the  earnest  advocates 
of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  without  which  education,  in  its  broad,  unfettered 
and  true  sense  can  never  exist.  Their  loyalty  almost  without  exception,  to  the 
cause  of  freedom  during  the  dark  days  of  the  Revolution,  as  testified  to  by 
Washington  himself; — their  record  since  as  law  abiding  citizens;  as  faithful 
officers  in  various  departments  of  government;  as  educators,  philanthropists, 
authors,  etc.,  their  support  of  a  dozen  or  more  religious  periodicals  published  by 
their  own  brethren  and  the  liberal  patronage  and  earnest  support  they  give  to 
all  non-sectarian  schools  from  the  public  free  school  to  the  highest  universities, 
all  go  to  prove  their  friendship  for,  and  advocacy  of,  education. 

But  all  Bible  students  are  well  aware  that  the  world  by  wisdom  knows  not 
God.  The  wisdom  of  this  world  can  comprehend  only  the  things  of  this  world — ■ 
cannot  attain  unto  spiritual  knowledge.  The  wise  man  is  just  as  dependent  upon 
God  for  crumbs  of  spiritual  truth  as  is  the  ignorant  man.  This  knowledge  comes 
not  by  the  "willings  and  doings"  of  men  but  by  the  revelation  of  God;  and  God 
is  just  as  able  to  reveal  His  truth  to  the  ignorant  Peter  as  to  the  learned  Paul. 
And  more,  we  are  told  that  while  God  calls  some  wise  men  into  his  service  he 
does  not  call  for  many,  for  Paul  says:  "For  ye  see  your  calling,  brethren,  how  that 
not  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh,  not  many  mighty,  not  many  noble,  are  called. 
But  God  hath  chosen  the  foolish  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  wise;  and 
God  hath  chosen  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to  confound  the  things  which 
are  mighty.  And  base  things  of  the  world,  and  things  which  are  despised, 
hath  God  chosen,  yea,  and  things  which  are  not,  to  bring  to  nought  things  that 
are:     That  no  flesh  should  glory  in  His  presence." 

Now  this  grand  truth  is  not  spoken  for  the  exaltation  of  the  ignorant,  but 
for  the  exaltation  of  God.  The  ignorant  cannot  glory  in  his  ignorance  nor  the 
wise  in  his  wisdom  but  both  are  equally  made  dependent  upon  Him  who  is  the 
source  of  all  knowledge — the  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  and  both  are 
exhorted  to  "study  to  show  thyself  approved  unto  God,  a  workman  that  needeth 
not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth."  And  while  the  ministry 
of  the  Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptist  Church  do  not  make  it  a  point  to  utudy 
to  show  themselves  approved  unto  man  or  unto  the  world,  yet  the  Editor  believes 
that  even  though  time  should  fail  eternity  will  not  fail  to  reveal  the  fact  that 
they  do  study  to  show  themselves  approved  unto  God.  In  fact,  they  are  warned 
by  inspiration  that  if  they  seek  to  please  men,  or  the  world,  they  are  no  longer 
the  servants  of  Christ.  They  manifest  that  they  are  anxious  to  'render  unto 
Caesar  the  things  which  are  Caesar's;  and  unto  God  the  things  that  are  God's." 

Thus  there  should  be  a  separation  of  Church  and  State  followed  by  a  dis- 
tinction between  the  wisdom  of  this  world  and  the  wisdom  of  God,  and  as  we  look 


180582 


10  PRBF'ACE. 

to  the  school  of  men  to  qualify  us  for  efficient  service  in  the  kingdins  of  this 
world,  so  we  should  look  to  the  school  of  Christ  to  qualify  us  for  efficient  service 
in  His  kingdom  which  "is  not  of  this  world."  And  if  we  are  students  in  the 
Master's  school  of  experience  we  shall  "grow  in  grace  and  in  knowledge"  and 
learn  from  Him  and  His  inspired  Text  Book  that  the  qualifications  mentioned 
therein  are  for  the  called  and  fully  qualified  servant  is  that  he  must  be  "gentle, 
humble,  quiet,  firm,  virtuous,  upright,  just,  sober,  temperate,  unselfish,  not  covet- 
ous, well  proved,  exemplary,  of  good  repute,  sound  in  doctrine  able  and  apt  to 
teach,  divinely  impressed  with  the  work  of  the  ministry,  not  for  ambitious  or 
sordid  ends,  but  for  the  good  of  men  and  the  glory  of  God."  Gal.  i;  Eph.,  3  and 
8:16;  John  21:15-17;  and  26:13-15;  Mat.  10:1-6;  Rom.,  5:5;  II  Cor.,  5:5-6;  I  Tim., 
3:1-7  and  4:12-16;  Titus,  1:6-9;  Acts,  20-:  28;  I  Peter,  5:1-4;  I  Cor.,  9:16). 

Realizing  the  high  and  holy  calling  and  the  divine  qualifications  the  ministry 
of  the  Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptist  Church,  as  a  rule,  feel  their  unworthiness 
and  insufficiency  for  these  things,  and  are,  therefore  not  those  who  seek  no- 
toriety. They  shrink  from,  rather  than  desire,  publicity,  and  the  editor  in  the 
preparation  of  this  work,  more  than  ever  before  has  been  made  cognizant  of  this 
trait  of  their  character.  To  collect  data  for  the  biographical  matter  herein 
presented  required  his  persistent  requests  published  in  our  denominational 
papers,  his  personal  appeals  by  private  correspondence  and  the  assistance  of 
many  friends,  among  whom  are  mentioned:  Elders  Sylvester  Hassell,  Walter 
Cash,  F.  A.  Chick,  J.  T.  Rowe,  J.  G.  Webb,  R.  W.  Thompson,  J.  T.  Oliphant,  F.  P. 
Brascome,  J.  H.  Fisher,  Lee  Hanks,  J.  A.  Ashbourn,  B.  E.  Bourland,  J.  K.  Free- 
man, H.  M.  Farley,  J.  J.  Gilbert,  E.  E.  Lundy,  G.  E.  Mayfield,  Henry  Taylor 
and  John  T.  Blanchard;  Brethren  J.  W.  Jones,  J.  G.  Wiltshire  and  C.  C.  Aylett; 
and  Miss  Fannie  Lou  Raulston,  Mrs.  S.  J.  Buckhalt,  Mrs.  Bettie  Leggitt  and  Miss 
Annie  Crisp,  for  which  the  editor  desires  to  express  his  sincere  thanks. 

Acknowledgement  is  also  made  to  Elders  Sylvester  Hassell  and  George  W. 
Stewart  for  freely  quoting  from  the  Church  History  and  The  Two  Witnesses  as 
appears  in  the  appendix  of  this  work. 

In  conclusion  the  editor  wishes  to  say  that  his  work,  like  himself,  bears 
many  of  the  marks  of  imperfection.  Within  the  period  of  its  preparation  he  has 
endeavored  to  make  it  fairly  representative.  He  could  not  hope  for  more  than 
this.  For  to  gather  even  the  briefest  information  of  All  Primitive  or  Old  School 
Baptist  Ministers,  would  be  almost  an  impossible  task.  Many  worthy  ministers, 
now  living,  would  furnish  no  information  of  their  lives,  and  their  friends  failed 
to  do  so  for  them.  Others  delayed  sendng  data  until  too  late;  while  on  the  other 
hand  the  editor  may  have  in  a  few  instances,  been  taken  advantage  of  and  some 
may  appear  herein  who  are  really  in  disorder  at  home,  and  unworthy  of  repre- 
sentation, for  an  investigation  in  all  cases  of  the  personnel  of  the  work  was  next 
to  impossible. 

It  has  been  his  purpose  on  the  one  hand  to  steer  clear  of  any  who  fail  to 
adcrn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  with  a  godly  walk  and  conversatin,  and 
also  those  restless,  progressive  spirits  amcng  us  who  seem  not  satisfied  with  the 
order  of  God's  house  but  who  are  clamoring  for  new  practices  unauthorized  by 
God's  word  and  unprecedented  in  Baptist  History  and  who  are  pressing  such 
things  to  the  extent  of  division,  thus  manifesting  they  prefer  innovations  to  the 
fellowship  of  the  great  body  of  Baptists. 

And  on  the  other  hand  the  editor  has  taken  a  broad  view  of  those  points 
of  doctrine  and  practices  such  as  predestination  and  feet-washing,  which  has 
ever,  to  some  extent,  been  open  questions  among  our  people,  and  over  which 
there  has  been  more  a  war  of  words  than  of  principle;  and  advocates  of  different 
shades  of  opinion  on  such  matters  are  given  equal  representation. 

The  preparation  of  the  work  has  imposed  a  vast  responsibility  and  an 
immense  amount  of  labor.    The  manuscript  was  prepared  amid  the  many  duties 


PREFACE.  11 


of  a  busy  life  and  under  various  circumstances — sometimes  on  railroad  trains, 
sometimes  while  waiting  at  stations  for  the  cars,  etc.,  and  it  is  therefore,  desired 
that  the  reader  freely  use  "a  mantle  of  charity"  in  its  perusal. 

The  editor  has  labored,  not  only  to  present  a  useful,  interesting  and  readable 
book,  but  one  that  will  also  be  unifying,  edifying  and  beneficial  to  our  people. 
How  well  he  has  succeeded  remains  to  be  seen.  But  whatever  the  result,  he 
feels  that  the  motive  prompting  the  undertaking  and  prosecution  of  the  work 
was  a  pure  one.  A  long  felt  desire  to  render  an  essential  service  to  the  cause 
of  truth  has  been  the  "guiding  star."  The  humble  and  faithful  "soldiers  of  the 
Cross,"  who  after  spending  their  lives  in  obscurity  and  "of  whom  the  world  is 
not  worthy  "  should  not,  he  feels,  be  forgotten.  And  as  we  love  to  see  their 
graves  marked,  let  us  also  seek  to  perpetuate  their  memory  in  a  more  enduring 
way  than  the  sculptor's  chisel  on  the  marble  slab,  and  teach  our  children  to 
honor  their  names;  to  reverance  the  God  they  served;  and,  at  least,  to  respect 
the  principles  for  which  they  have  so  faithfully  and  unselfishly  labored. 

That  this  work  may  be  blessed  of  God  to  His  glory  and  the  benefit  of  His 
people  is  the  earnest  wish  of 
Luray,  Virginia,  May  27,  1909.  R.     H.    PITTMAN. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  13 


fc 


TABLE  OF   CONTENTS 


1% 


Title  to  this  worK 5 

Copyright           6 

Preface        8 

Special  Notice 15 

SKetches  and  Pictures  of  Ministers         17 

(In  Alphabetical    Order.) 

Deacons,  with  some  personal  mention  of  the  officers  308 

(In  Alphabetical  Order.) 

Some    Talented    and    Spiritually  Minded  Sisters—  323 
"Mothers  in  Israel,"  Etc.  <in  Alphabetical  order.)  •  •  •  •  323 

APPENDIX  —  CONTAINIG  THE  FOLLOWING  SUBJECTS: 

The  Bible 342 

The   Full  Divine  Inspiration    of  the  Bible    —  343 

Twelve  Works  of  the  Apostolic  Church 346 

Some  Important  Dates  in  Church  History      —  347 

Denominations 349 

Roman  Catholic    Church 354 

Baptist  Denominations 357 

The   Old  School  Address  at  the  Block  Rock  Con- 
vention       ^60 

World's  Population— Religious  and  Otherwise        —  368 

Some  Old  Churches 369 

Baptist  Associations  370 

Union  Meetings  •  •         370 

Our  Saturday  and  Sunday  Meeting's     371 


14 


TABLE  OP  CONTENTS. 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS—CONTINUED. 


Missions 3  7 

Sunday  Schools 378 

Secret  Societies 379 

Modern  Secret  Societies     381 

Instrumental  Music  in  Churches 382 

Christmas  383 

One  Sentence  —Longest  in  Print —  384 

Our  "Christian  Nation" 388 

A  Pen  Picture  of  Jesus 388 

Civil  War  Record         389 

Elder  John  Leland's  Theology     389 

Sketch  of  John  Gill 390 

Sketch  of  Joseph  Philpot 391 

Soul   and  Spirit ■         391 

Sunday       391 

The  Saved— The  Lost 392 

Cain's  Wife 392 

Church  Government 393 

Family  Worship     393 

Crime  Increasing'— Morals  Declining' 393 

The  Hireling 394 

The  Serpent  and  Eve 395 

Melchizedek         —  396 

The    Negro        396 

Federal  Councils  of  the  Churches  of  Christ   —  396 

Reverend  397 

God  is  not  the  Author  of  Sin     397 

"Our  Funeral,"  with  some  Facts  and  Statistics  397 

Names  of  825  of  our   Ministers  whose  Sketches 

do  not  appear  in  this  work        400 

Advertisement— Relig'ious  Periodicals 405 

Final   Notice 406 


SPECIAL  NOTICE.  15 


SPECIAL  NOTICE 


The  reader  who  may  find  errors  in  this  book,  whether  in  names,  dates,  places, 
principles  or  practices,  is  requested  to  advise  the  editor  of  such  errors,  with 
proofs  of  same   that  they  may  be  eliminated  from  future  editions. 


• 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


17 


A 


ELIHU    R.  ABERNATHY. 


Abernathy,     Elder      Elihu      R.,     was 

bom  September  2,  1838,  and  died  July 
9,  1903.  He  professed  a  hope  in  Jesus 
September,  1877,  of  which  hope  he 
was  ready  at  all  times  to  give  a  rea- 
son. Upon  a  profession  of  his  faith 
he  was  received  into  the  fellowship  of 
Macedonia  Primitive  Baptist  Church, 
Bartow  County,  Ga.,  November  2, 
1877,  and  was  baptized  the  following 
day,  and  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry  February 
2,  1889.  Wjas  married  to  Miss  Malinda 
W.  George,  January  14,  1862.  He  was 
a  faithful  minister  and  gave  evidence 
in  his  life,  and  even  on  his  death-bed, 
that  he  had  been  with  Jesus  and  had 
learned  of  Him. 


J.    E.    ADAMS. 


Adams,  Elder  J.  E.,  of  Angier,  N.  C, 
the  second  of  thirteen  children  born 
unto  Joseph  and  Tillitha  Adams,  was 
born  in  Cumberland  County,  N.  C, 
January  11,  1834.  His  opportunities 
for  an  education  were  very  limited, 
yet  he  had  a  thirst  for  knowledge 
which  he  improved  and  thus  became 
possessed  of  much  general  informa- 
tion. At  an  early  age  he  had  serious 
thoughts  of  life  and  death,  hell  and 
heaven,  and  began  a  system  of  refor 
mation  in  which  he  was,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-five,  trusting  for  Salvation, 
when  he  was  deeply  convicted  of  his 
lost  condition  by  the  application  on 
his  mind  of  the  words  of  Jesus,  "Ye 
must  be  born  again."  After  this  he 
entered  the  army,  went  through  three 
years  of  service  and  returned  home 
full  of  thanksgiving  for  God's  protect- 
ing care,  though  still  burdened  with 
the  laws  condemning  sentence.  He 
was  in  much  soul  sorrow  until 
June  11,  1871,  when  God  at  the  mid- 
night hour  spoke  peace  to  his  soul. 
For  some  days  he  passed  through  a 
season  of  rejoicing,  but  soon  the 
words  of  Paul  were  applied  to  his 
mind  and  heart  in  a  deep  and  lasting 
manner — "Unto  me  who  am  the  least 
of  all  Saints,  is  this  grace  given  that 
I  should  preach  among  the  Gentiles 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ." 
This,  he  felt,  was  a  call  to  the  minis- 
try, and  gave  him  much  trouble  be- 
cause of  his  feeling  sense  of  unfitness 


and  unworthiness.  Soon  after  this  he 
joined  the  Church  at  Fellowship  in 
Johnson  County,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Moore  Stephenson.  Within  a 
few  months  he  was  licensed  to 
preach,  and  on  August  3,  1873,  was 
ordained  to  the  full  functions  of  the 
Gospel,  and  has  since  been  preaching 
Jesus,  the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life. 
Elder  Adams  is  an  humble,  faithful 
minister,  has  traveled  considerably 
among  the  Baptists  in  North  Carolina 
and  the  Southern  States,  and  has 
been  well  received  by  them. 


WILLIAM    ADAMS. 

Adams,  Elder  William,  fell  asleep 
in  the  triumphs  of  a  living  faith  in 
Jesus,  November  22,  1895,  at  his  res- 
idence in  Newton  County,  Ga.,  in  the 
65th  year  of  his  age.  He  was  a  son  of 
James  and  Frances  Adams,  of  Jasper 
County,  Ga.  In  1849,  he  and  'Miss 
Susan  F.  Hurst,  of  Newton  County, 
Ga.,  were  united  in  marriage,  with 
whom  he  lived  happily  until  death.  In 
1855  both  of  them  were  baptized  at 
the  same  time  into  the  fellowship  ot 
Harris  Spring  Church,  Newton  Coun- 
ty, Ga.,  by  Elder  I.  Hamby,  where  he 
remained  an  orderly  and  exemplary 
member  till  removed  by  death.  Soon 
after  he  united  with  the  church  he 
acted  in  the  capacity  and  served  the 
church  both  as  clerk  and  deacon,  sat- 
isfactorily, until  he  was  called  to  or- 
dination as  a  minister  of  Christ,  in 
1877.  The  presbytery  was  composed 
of  Elders  I.  Hamby,  WV  D.  Almond,  J. 
G.  Eubanks,  and  J.  M.  Gunter.  He  was 
judged  worthy  and  set  apart  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry.  From  that 
time  he  served  his  own  church  faith- 
fully and  other  churches  as  pastor, 
until  death,  and  his  labors  were  truly 
blessed  of  the  Lord.  It  was  evident  he 
had  a  pastoral  gift.  He  was  blessed 
and  prospered  of  the  Lord  both  spirit- 
ually and  temporally;  was  blessed 
with  a  large  and  devoted  family  and 
useful  citizens.  To  them  were  born 
sixteen  children;  ten  sons  and  four 
daughters  now  living — all  grown, 
seven  of  whom  are  orderly  and  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Primitive 
Baptist  church,  and  we  have  evidence 
to  hope  and  believe  that  others  of 
them  have  a  good  hope  through  grace. 
His  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  the 
family    cemetery,   near    his    residence, 


18 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


surrounded  by  a  host  of  weeping, 
heart-stricken  relatives  and  friends. 
There  were  present  Elders  W.  D.  Al- 
mond, F.  M.  McLeroy,  J.  F.  Almond, 
N.  B.  Hardy,  M.  F.  Hurst,  and  John 
D.  Curtis.  Elders  W.  D.  Almond,  Mc- 
Leroy and  Hurst  preached  appropri- 
ate and  comforting  discourses  from 
the  text,  "Blessed  and  holy  is  he  that 
hath  part  in  the  first  resurrection; 
over  such  the  second  death  hath  no 
power." 


GEORGE   ALBERTY. 

Alberty,  Elder  George  (1849-1906), 
of  Missouri,  was  an  humble,  faithful 
minister.  He  received  a  hope  in  Christ 
in  the  year  1871,  and  united  with 
Clear  Creek  church  ofl  Primitive  Bap- 
ists,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Wim. 
Yeoman.  From  the  time  he  united 
with  the  church  he  was  impressed 
to  preach,  but  did  not  obey,  for  some- 
time, but  tried  to  keep  it  to  himself, 
but  his  chastening  was  so  great  that 
many  nights  he  cried  until  his  pillow 
was  wet  with  tears.  He  said  it  seemr 
ed  more  than  he  could  bear.  Other 
ministers  saw  his  calling  without  him 
telling.  He  went  to  meeting,  but  took 
a  back  seat,  but  Elder  W.hitely  said, 
■"Brother  George,  come  and  preach 
for  us,  you  will  have  it  to  do."  He 
rose  up  and  went  to  the  pulpit,  and  as 
be  entered  the  pulpit  this  Scripture 
came  to  his  mind,  and  he  quoted  it, 
"Behold  what  manner  of  love  the 
Father  hath  bestowed  on  us,  that  we 
should  be  called  the  sons  of  God,"  and 
preached  about  thirty  minutes.  He 
felt  that  the  Comforter  was  with  him, 
that  it  was  better  to  obey  and  have 
sweet    comfort    than    to    disobey    and 


suffer  the  chastening  rod,  so  he  ever 
afterwards  followed  that  rule,  and 
was  a  faithful  soldier  of  the  cross.  He 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
minisry  in  188G.  In  1895,  he  was 
chosen  pastor  of  Clear  Creek  and  re- 
mained her  pastor  until  his  death.  The 
last  few  years  of  his  life  he  was  pas- 
tor of  Clear  Creek,  Little  Northfork 
and    Stalls    Creek    churches. 


T.  N.  ALDERTON. 

Alderton,  Elder  T.  N.,  was  born  Oc- 
tober 15,  1849,  and  died  July  15,  190G. 
While  preaching  at  Granville  Baptist 
Church,  West  Virginia,  he  was  strick- 
en with  apoplexy  and  was  soon  un- 
conscious and  sweetly  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus  at  5:30  p.  m.  the  same  day. 
Brother  Alderton  was  the  sen  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary  Alderton  and  was  born 
on  the  slope  of  Springcap  mountain, 
near  Paw  Paw,  W.  Va.  His  parents 
were  of  English  nationality;  were 
poor  as  to  the  natural  blessings  of 
this  life,  and  the  opportunity  for  edu- 
cating their  children  was  very  limit- 
ed, so  that  what  education  our  gifted 
brother  acquired  was  mostly  from 
reading  extensively  in  books  and  pa- 
pers. Few  were  better  informed  than 
he.  W^en  he  was  eleven  years  of  age 
the  Civil  war  spread  its  desruction 
and  blighting  influence  *>\hich  made  it 
difficult  to  even  get  a  paper  to  read. 
So  his  natural  privileges  for  an  educa- 
tion were  very  poor;  but  he  was 
blessed  of  the  Lord  with  true  wisdom 
and  received  much  instruction  in  the 
school  of  Christ.  His  parents  were 
members  of  Little  Capon  Church  of 
Primitive  Baptists,  Hampshire  Coun- 
ty,   W.    Va.    He    was    blessed    of1   the 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


19 


Lord  with  a  good  hope  when  seven- 
teen years  of  age  and  was  received  by 
Little  Capon  Church  on  an  humble 
confession  of  faith  in  Jesus  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Philip 
Mclnturff,  in  July,  18G7.  Here 
he  remained  an  honored  mem 
ber  until  Enon  church  was  organized, 
which  was  more  convenient  to  him, 
where  he  obtained  membership  and 
was  chosen  clerk,  which  office  he 
filled  until  after  he  began  to  preach. 
In  the  twenty-second  year  of  his 
eventful  life,  December,  1871,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Sarah  F. 
Powell,  Elder  John  A.  Corder  officiat- 
ing. In  March,  1883,  his  useful  minis- 
try began  by  an  investigation  of  the 
84th  Psalm.  In  October  of  the  same 
year  he  was  given  license  by  his 
church  to  preach  where  the  Lord  di- 
rected him.  And  January  24,  1885, 
Elders  P.  Mclnturff,  J.  Correll  and  C. 
L.  Funk  ordained  him  to  the  full  func- 
tion of  his  calling  to  serve  the  church. 
He  was  much  interested  concern- 
ing the  Lord's  people  who  were 
destitute  of  gospel  preaching  and  vis- 
ited many  of  said  places,  some  an- 
nually, Avhere  they  longed  for  his 
coming  and  his  words  of  cheer.  It 
would  be  difficult  to  find  a  more 
faithful  and  useful  man  in  the  minis 
try  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church. 
During  his  long  service  as  a  minister 
he  served  four  churches  and  some- 
times had  the  care  of  five,  traveled 
on  a  conservative  estimate  three  to 
four  thousand  miles  a  year,  married 
over  a  hundred  couples  and  baptized 
many  mpre.  From  the  best  informa- 
tion I  have  Elder  Alderton  served 
during  his  ministry  the  following 
churches:  Great  Capon,  Enon,  Ten 
Mile  Tonaloway,  Bethel,  Mill  Creek. 
Little  Capon,  Grassy  Lick  and  Branch 
Mountain. 


J.    T.    ALEXANDER. 

Alexander,  Elder  J.  T.,  was  born  in 
Prince  William  County,  Va.,  in  1836, 
and  received  into  the  fellowship  of 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  North 
Fork,  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  in  1878 
where  his  membership  now  is.  He 
was  ordained  in  1882  by  Elders  John 
Clark,  Paul  Yates,  Joseph  Correll,  and 
Benjamin  Bridges.  Elder  Alexander 
has  served  old  Chappawomsic  Church 
since  the  death  of  Elder  John  Clark, 
a  quarter  of  a  century  ago.  He  has 
also  during  his  ministry,  served 
White  Oak,  Greenwood,  Zion,  and  In- 
dependent   Hill    churches    and    is    an 


humble,     meek     and  faithful  brother. 
Though  he  has  traveled  some  his  la- 


J.    T.    ALEXANDER 


bors    have    been    mostly 
churches  in  Virginia. 


confined    to 


BURDITT    O.    ALLEN. 

Allen,  Elder  Burditt  O.,  of  Missouri, 
was  born  in  Madison  County,  Septem- 
ber 13,  1811,  and  died  June  24,  1873. 
United  with  the  Baptists  1841,  and  or- 
dained 1843.  He  was  a  man  of  indus- 
try, thrift  and  energy,  though  not  of 
robust  health.  He  was  a  farmer,  went 
into  the  forest,  cleared  the  ground, 
cut  and  hewed  the  logs  for  his  dwell- 
ing, barn,  and  out-houses,  and  though 
he  served  four  churches  regularly 
most  of  his  ministerial  life,  that  did 
not  help  him  much  in  a  financial  way, 
yet  he  was  blessed  of  the  Lord  to  live 
above  want,  and  was  charitable  to- 
ward the  poor.  He  was  a  good  neigh- 
bor, a  valued  citizen  and  was  re- 
spected and  honored  by  all,  though 
many  did  not  like  his  preaching  be- 
cause of  the  doctrine  he  so  firmly 
contended  for.  He' had  no  compromise 
to  make  with  error  and  contended 
earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered 
unto  the  Saints.  He  died  several  years 
ago,  after  a  long  term  of  useful  ser- 
vice, though  exact  dates  could  not  be 
obtained. 


J.   T.    ALLEN. 

Allen,  Elder  J.  T.,  of  Hale  County, 
Ala.,  was  born  June  16,  1821,  died 
March    19,    1885.    He    was    highly    es- 


20 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


teemed  by  Primitive  Baptists,  among 
whom  he  traveled  and  preached  ex- 
tensively; and  a  more  acceptable 
minister,  in  every  particular,  would 
be  hard  to  find.  His  meek  and  humble 
bearing  in  and  out  of  the  pulpit  won 
for  him  the  sincere  love  and  esteem 
of  his  brethren  and  friends.  Often  he 
would  rise  before  a  congregation  to 
address  them  with  tears  in  his  eyes, 
indicating  his  sincerity  and  the  deep 
solemn  emotions  of  his  soul;  and 
often  the  congregation  would  be  al- 
most as  deeply  affected  under  his 
preaching.  As  a  citizen  and  neighbor 
he  was  greatly  beloved.  Honest  and 
industrious,  he  was  referred  to  by  the 
business  men  of  Hale  County  as  "One 
that  is  as  good  as  gold."  There  were 
certain  indescribable  traits  of  char- 
acter possessed  by  him  that  caused 
him  to  be  recognized  as  one  of  na- 
ture's noblemen.  He  ever  contended 
for  the  good  way,  determined  to  know 
nothing  but  Christ  and  Him  crucified 
in  his  ministry,  and  died  in  the  full 
triumph  of  faith,  among  his  last 
words  being,  "My  hope  is  in  God  and 
not  in  man." 


W.    D.    ALMOND. 

Almond,  Elder  W.  D.,  was  born  on 
April  21,  1821,  and  died  November  15, 
1903,  in  Rockdale  County,  Georgia. 
His  parents  were  John  D.  and  Mary  V. 
Almond.  His  father  was  a  Primitive 
Baptist  preacher  and  served  from  four 
to  six  churches.  Brother  Almond  mar- 
ried Martha  Curtis  May  11,  1843,  who 
made  him  a  faithful  and  loving  com- 
panion. He  claimed  a  hope  in  the  year 
'38  joined  the  "Missionaries"  in  '45, 
staid  with  them  until  '51,  soon  after- 
wards joined  the  Primitive  Baptists, 
and  in  a  year  or  two  began  exercising 
in  public,  and  was  soon  called  to  take 
the  care  of  four  churches.  He  served 
them  faithfully  as  one  that  careth  for 
the  sheep.  One  of  the  churches  he  serv- 
ed over  forty  years,  and  baptized  a 
great  many.  He  was  very  industrious, 
and  made  all  his  supplies  on  his  farm, 
working  with  his  own  hands,  not  to  be 
an  incumbrance  on  his  brethren.  He 
was  an  excellent  provider  for  his  fam- 
ily. He  raised  eight  children,  six  girls 
and  two  boys.  One  daughter  died  Aug- 
ust 11,  1853.  He  gave  each  one  of  them 
a  home.  He  was  strictly  honest,  and 
very  prompt  in  his  promises.  His 
word  was  as  good  as  the  money  every- 
where he  was  known.  He  knew  no 
man  after  the  flesh,  and  made  many 
enemies     because    he      contended    so 


earnestly  for  the  doctrine  of  election 
and  predestination. 


F.    M.    AMBROSE. 

Ambrose,   Elder  F.   M.,  was  born  in 

-,   and   died   February   8,   1881. 


He  was  a  faithful  minister  and  regu- 
larly attended  and  preached  to  the 
church  at  Indian  Creek,  and  baptized 
most  of  its  members.  While  he  lived 
he  missed  only  one  of  his  regular 
church  meetings  and  that  was  only 
three  days  before  he  died.  During  his 
last  sickness  he  talked  a  great  deal 
of  his  approaching  dissolution  and 
said  the  thoughts  of  death  brought  no 
terror  to  his  mind,  that  his  faith  was 
strong  in  God,  that  His  promises  were 
immovable,  and  that  his  own  inbred 
corruptions  which  had  caused  him  so 
much  trouble,  were  now  an  evidence 
to  him  that  Christ  alone  was  the  sin- 
ner's Saviour. 


J.  I.  AMBROSE. 

Ambrose,  Elder  J.  I.,  of  Cresswell, 
N.  C,  was  born  June  28,  1847;  had 
few  oportunities  to  secure  an  educa- 
tion; grew  up  in  love  with,  and  fol- 
lowed willingly,  the  paths  of  sin  until 
his  twenty-fifth  year,  when  it  pleased 
the  Lord  to  convict  him,  convert  his 
soul,  kill  him  to  the  love  of  sin  and 
give  him  a  view  of  Jesus  as  his  Sa- 
viour. He  united  with  Concord  Church 
in  1872,  was  chosen  deacon  in  1874, 
licensed  to  preach  in  1880,  and  in 
1884  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  by 
Elders  Stephen  Biggs  and  J.  T.  Rowe. 
Elder  Ambrose  is,  at  present,  pastoi 
Oifi  Concord  Church.  His  labors  have 
been  confined  mostly  to  his  home  and 
nearby  churches — having  never  been 
impressed  to  travel  and  preach  among 
other  churches. 


WILLIAM    ANDERSON. 

Anderson,  Elder  William,  was  born 
in  North  Carolina,  removed  to  Ten- 
nessee early  in  life;  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Nancy  Cheek,  at  the  age 
of  twenty;  received  an  experience  of 
grace  in  his  twenty-fifth  year  and 
united  with  the  church  February, 
1828.  He  was  ordained  in  1836  in  Jef- 
ferson County,  Tenn.,  by  a  presbytery 
consisting  of  Elders  P.  A.  WJtt,  Henry 
Randolph,    Noah    Cate    and    Jeremiah 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


21 


Hale.  In  1844  the  deceased  removed 
from  Tennessee  to  Kentucky,  and  in 
1846  united  with  the  church  at  Rock 
Spring  in  Onsley  County.  His  labors 
were  constant  and  unremitting.  Thor- 
oughly persuaded  of  the  truth  of  the 
doctrines  as  held  by  his  brethren  ot 
the  Old  School  Baptist  Church,  he 
never  hesitated  to  vindicate  that 
truth,  whether  men  would  hear  or 
forbear;  but  instinctively  kind  and 
gentle,  he  never  unnecessarily  tram- 
pled on,  or  wounded  the  sensibilities 
of  those  who  differed  with  him.  Sal- 
vation by  grace  and  the  mercy  of 
God  shed  freely  upon  sinners,  for  the 
merit'.s  sake  of  Christ  Jesus  was  his 
unfailing  theme  and  solace.  The  ad- 
vantages of  a  thorough  education  and 
culture  had  not  been  granted  to  him, 
but  he  was  taught  of  the  Lord,  and 
on  His  word  he  meditated  day  and 
night;  and  thus  taught,  he  was  al- 
ways an  interesting  and  not  unfre- 
quently  a  most  able  preacher,  build- 
ing up  those  of  like  precious  faith 
with  himself,  and  warning  the  un-  j 
godly.  He  died  in  the  full  triumph  of 
faith  November  16,   1867. 


JAMES   W.   ANDERSON. 


Anderson.  Elder  James  W..  of  Conk- 
ling,  Ky.  This  useful  and  beloved 
minister  has  the  care  of  four  churches 
and  is,  by  the  light  of  Jesus  in  him 
made  to  view  himself  as  "the  least  of 
all  Saints."  He  was  born  in  Buchanan 
County,  Mo.,  October  17,  1863;  at  the 
age  of  five  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Kentucky  and  grew  up  on  the  farm 
with  but  little  advantages  of  an  edu- 
cation. At  about  the  age  of  nineteen 


he  resolved  to  fit  himself  for  profes- 
sional life;  prepared  himself  and  be- 
gan teaching  at  the  age  of  twenty-one. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Louie  Mc- 
Collum,  of  Ousley  County,  Ky.,  April 
3,  1888.  In  the  Autumn  of  1891,  he  was 
convicted  of  sin  and  made  to  cry  for 
mercy,  and  so  continued  for  three 
years.  Wlhen  at  last  he  was  blessed 
to  realize  his  acceptance  with  the 
Beloved,  and  in  April,  1894,  asked  a 
home  with  the  Old  Baptist  Church  of 
Macedonia  in  Ousley  County,  Ky.,  and 
to  his  surprise  was  received  into  their 
fellowship.  He  began  exercising  a 
public  gift — in  1896,  and  was  ordain- 
ed to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  in 
1901. 


S.    M.    ANDERSON. 

Anderson,  Elder  S.  M.,  of  Garfield, 
Ga.,  has  for  many  years  served  as 
moderator  of  the  Upper  Canoochee 
Association  and  is  a  faithful  and  high- 
ly esteemed  minister.  He  was  born  in 
Emmanuel  County,  Ga.,  in  1846,  left 
an  orphan  when  quite  young  and  was 
raised  at  hard  labor  with  but  few  ad- 
vantages of  an  education.  As  early  as 
he  can  remember  he  had  serious 
thoughts  about  eternity  and  felt  he 
could,  when  he  got  ready,  become-  a 
Christian.  But  his  conviction  for  sin 
increased  and  he  was  soon  made  to 
realize  his  true  helpless  condi- 
tion by  nature,  and  what  he  must  be 
by  grace  to  see  Gcd  in  peace,  and 
many  were  the  trials  of  his  tempest- 
tossed  life.  But  through  it  all  God  was 
with  him,  deliverance  came,  hope 
sprang  up  in  the  place  of  despair  and 
his  heart  abounded  in  love  for  God 
and   his   church.    He   united    with   the 


22 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Primitive  Baptists  and  in  a  few 
months  thereafter  was  deeply  im- 
pressed to  preach  Jesus,  but  for  years 
struggled  against  it.  After  many 
trials,  sorrows  conflicts,  and  re- 
newed evidences  from  the  Lord  of 
his  call  to  the  work  he  went  forward 
in  the  public  duty  and  was  ordained 
by  Hebron  Church  in  1877.  Elder  An- 
derson has  had  the  care  of  three  or 
four  churches  most  all  the  time  since 
his  ordination  and  has  served  his 
home  church  — Hebron  —  thirty-one 
years.  He  has  baptized  about  three 
hundred  persons  and  his  labors  have 
been  blessed  to  the  upbuilding  of  the 
broken   walls  of  Zion. 


E.    L,    ANDERSON. 

Anderson,  Elder  E.  L.,  of  Cave 
Spring,  Ky.,  This  faithful  minister 
has  the  care  of  Lebanon  and  other 
churches,  and  is  also  Moderator  of  the 
Red  River  Association  of  Primitive 
Baptists. 


J.    E.   ARMSTRONG. 

Armstrong,  Elder  J.  E.,  was  born 
in  1808  and  died  December  G,  1891. 
He  was  indeed  a  father  in  Israel  and 
for  about  fifty  years  stood  upon  the 
walls  of  Zion  preaching  the  everlast- 
ing gospel  of  God's  dear  Son.  He 
fought  a  good  fight  and  finished  his 
course  with  joy.  The  editor  was  un- 
able to  obtain  further  statistics  of 
this  beloved  brother's  life  and  labors 
in  the  ministry. 


W.  C.  ARNOLD. 

Arnold,  Elder  W.  C,  a  faithful,  use- 
ful and  much  beloved  man  of  God, 
modestly  speaks  of  himself  thus:  "I 
was  born  in  Pike  County,  Ind.,  April 
20,  1869.  My  parents  were  members 
of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  from 
my  earliest  recollection.  My  grand- 
father, Elder  J.  W.  Arnold,  deceased, 
preached  for  the  Baptists  many  years. 
If  not  deceived  I  received  a  sweet 
hope  in  Jesus  June  22,  1884.  Febru- 
ary 22,  1888,  I  was  married  to  Miss 
Martha  B.  France.  In  the  Spring  of 
1889,  I  asked  for  a  home  in  the 
church  at  Pleasantville,  Ind.,  and  was 
baptized  the  third  Sunday  in  April  by 
Elder  John  T.  Oliphant,  pastor  of  the 
church.  My  wife  was  baptized  a  year 
before.     I  was     ordained     to  the  full 


functions  of  the  gospel  ministry,  No- 
vember 15,  1897,  and  have  been  pas- 
tor of  from  two  to  four  churches,  and 
traveled  and  preached  where  I  have 
felt  the  Lord  directed.  I  am  now  pas- 
tor of  three  churches.  Our  only  living 
child,  a  daughter,  is  a  member  of  the 
dear   old    church    with    us.    Our   other 


W.   C.   ARNOLD 

child,  a  son,  is  safely  sleeping  in 
Jesus.  Many  have  been  my  trials,  but 
God's  grace  has  been  sufficient." 
Through  all  the  unrest  and  trouble 
in  the  church  Brother  Arnold  has  re- 
mained firm  and  uncompromising, 
ever  contending  for  the  Bible  doc- 
trine of  salvation  by  grace. 


JESSE   A.   ASHBURN. 


Ashburn,    Elder    Jesse    A.,    of    Pilot 
Mountain,    N.    C.    This    able    minister 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


23 


of  the  New  Testament  is  clerk  of  the 
Fisher's  River  Primitive  Baptist  As- 
sociation of  Western  North  Carolina, 
and  serves  churches  within  its 
bounds.  He  wrote  and  published  in 
1905  a  History  of  the  Fisher's  River 
Primitive  Baptist  Association  from 
its  organization  in  1832  to  1904.  This 
is  an  interesting  work,  especially  to 
the  seven  or  eight  hundred  members 
of  this  body,  and  shows  careful  re- 
search upon  the  part  of  the  editor. 
Elder  Ashburn  is  a  zealous  worker 
in  the  Master's  vineyard  and  a  bold 
defender  of  the  doctrine  and  practice 
of  the  Apostolic  Church,  and  it  is 
with  regret  that  the  editor  failed  to 
secure  sufficient  data  from  which  to 
prepare  a  more  suitable  sketch  of  his 
life   and   labors. 


W.   S.   AT  HEY. 

Athey,  Elder  W.  S,  was  born  Sep- 
tember 27,  1841,  and  departed  this  life 
August  29,  1902.  He  joined  the  New 
School  party  when  young,  but  finding 
out  his  mistake  later  he  left  them  and 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
at  Thumb  Run  in  Fanquier  County 
Va.,  in  1877.  In  1878  he  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  As  long 
as  he  was  able  to  attend  the  churches 
he  rode  through  fair  and  stormy 
weather  to  proclaim  to  them  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  Christ.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Alburtis  A.  Garrison 
January  18,  1864,  After  fighting  the 
good  fight  of  faith  he  has  gone  to  his 
rest  to  enjoy  that  sweet  inheritance 
to  which  he  fell  heir  by  the  re- 
demption of  Christ.  His  mortal  re- 
mains were  buried  on  the  old  battle 


ground  at  Manassas,  Va.,  at  his  re- 
quest, where  he  fought  in  the  famous 
battle  of  Bull  Run. 


W.    H.    ATKINSON. 

Atkinson,  Elder  W.  H.,  of  Round 
Peak,  N.  O,  was  born  in  Caswell 
County,  N.  O,  June  12,  1853,  near 
Moons'  Creek  Primitive  or  Old  School 
Baptist  Church,  which  was  organized 
before,  and  passed  through,  the  divi- 
sion with  the  Missionary  or  New, 
School  Baptist  1828-85.  Elder  Atkin- 
son united  with  Union  Church  in  Sur- 
ry County,  in  1888,  began  preaching 
the  same  year  and  was  ordained  to 
the  gospel  work  in  1890.  He  has  since 
had  the  care  of  churches  and  is  at 
present  serving  four,  and  the  Lord 
has  blessed  his  labors  to  the  upbuild- 
ing of  the  broken  walls  of  Zion's  city. 


T.     E.    ATTEBERY. 

Attebery,  Elder  T.  E.,  of  Elgin,  Ore- 
gon, was  born  in  Macon  County.,  Ills., 
February  26,  1865.  In  his  fourteenth 
year  of  age  he  was  convicted  of  sin 
and  made  to  feel  the  exceeding  sin- 
fulness of  sin,  and  for  some  time 
labored  under  the  law  in  order  that 
his  good  works  might  influence  the 
Lord  to  save  him,  but  he  learned  that 
the  law  was  only  a  ministration  of 
death  and  not  of  life.  And  as  this 
knowledge  dawned  upon  him  he  won- 
dered how  God  could  save  him  and  be- 
just.  But  was  taught,  by  faith,  that 
Christ  was  the  end  of  the  law  for 
righteousness  to  every  one  that  be- 
lieveth.  When  he  was  enabled  to 
claim  this  sweet  hope,  he  tarried  not 
but  united  with  Mt.  Zion  Church,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Jesse  Shields. 
Though  he,  at  the  time  of  his  deliv- 
erence  from  the  burden  of  sin,  felt  a. 
strong  desire  to  publish  to  others,  the 
Saviour  he  had  found,  yet,  Jonah-like, 
he  tried  to  run  from  the  Lord  and 
hide  from  his  people;  and  it  was  not 
until  he  had  been  taught  many  les- 
sons by  sad  experience  that  he  in 
October,  1906,  was  ordained  to  the- 
full  work  of  the  ministry.  Elder  Atte- 
bery is  a  fellow-laborer  with  Elder 
G.  B.  Mayfield  in  the  far  W/est,  and 
his  preaching  is  blessed  to  the  com- 
fort and  edification  of  God's  humble 
children.  Though  young  in  the  minis- 
try he  is  well  established  in  the  doc- 
trine of  God  our  Saviour  and  in  the 
practice  of  His  church. 


24 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


A.  J.  ANSTIN. 


Austin,  Elder  A.  J.,  was  born  on 
Roanoke  Island,  N.  C,  May  22,  1848, 
and  lived  there  till  1875,  when  he 
moved  to  Kitty  Hawk,  Currituck  Coun- 
ty, N.  C,  and  died  of  apoplexy  at  Paul 
Gamiel's  Hill  Life  Saving  Station,  six 
miles  north  of  Kitty  Hawk,  November 
5,  1902.  He  married  Miss  Martha 
Perry,  May  25,  1869.  Elder  S.  Hassell 
says  of  him:  "He  was  a  fisherman 
until  1878,  when  he  was  appointed  by 
the  United  States  Government  keeper 
of  the  above  named  life  saving  sta- 
tion, and  remained  so  till  his  death. 
He  united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  in  1869,  and  was  ordained  to 
the  ministry  in  January,  1883,  and 
was  called  in  1884  to  the  pastoral 
care  of  Providence  Church,  at  Kitty 
Hawk,  and  afterwards  to  that  of  Elim 
Church,  at  Powell's  Point,  and  was 
pastor  of  these  two  churches  at  his 
death.  He  preached  the  fourth  Satur- 
day and  Sunday  in  October,  1902,  at 
Providence  Church,  and  was  taken 
sick  Monday,  and  died  the  following 
Wednesday  week.  When  he  was  a 
school  boy  his  teacher  gave  him  a 
Bible  for  telling  the  truth.  He  was 
■one  oli  the  humblest,  kindest  and 
gentlest  ol  men;  good  to  the  poor 
and  needy,  never  refusing  them  a 
lavor,  and  loved  by  all  who  knew 
him,  and  resigned  in  his  many  and 
sore  trials,  to  the  will  ol  the  Lord. 
He  was  one  ol  the  best  Iriends  I  ever 
had;  helped  me  to  pay  the  Church 
History  debt,  and  entertained  me  re- 
peatedly    and   most   brotherly   at   his 


hospitable  home.  His  life  was  a  bright 
and  shining  light  on  the  northeastern 
coast  of  North  Carolina.  He  proved 
that  he  was  what  he  professed  to  be 
— a  child  of  God  and  a  minister  ol 
Christ."  He  lell  asleep  in  Jesus  No- 
vember 5,   1902. 


PETER   AUSMUS. 


Ausmus,  El'der  Peter,  (1811-1878), 
was  born  in  Powell's  Valley,  Tenn. 
He  received  a  hope  in  1833  and  first 
joined  the  Missionary  Baptists,  but  in 
November,  1848  ,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  called  New 
Salem  in  Brown  County,  Ills.  He  was 
ordained  in  1852,  and  proved  to  be  a 
successful  pastor  and  was  much  lov- 
ed. Many  yet  living  remember  his 
labors  of  love  and  testify  to  his  faith- 
ful life  and  noble  character. 


W.   R.  AVERY. 


Avery,  Elder  W.  R.,  of  Strouds, 
Ala.  This  able  minister  is  noted  for 
his  faithfulness  to  his  churches  and 
his  zeal  in  the  cause  of  truth.  Sound 
in  the  faith,  strictly  moral  and  order- 
ly, and  free  from  foolish  jesting  and 
ungodly  conversation,  his  life  is  a 
blessing  to  others  and  his  influence 
for  good  is  great.  He  sets  a  good  ex- 
ample to  believers  to  bear  the  yoke 
of  Christ  without  murmuring,  and  it 
is  regretted  that  data  lor  a  more  de 
tailed   sketch  could   not  be  secured. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


25 


B 


C.   B.   BALLARD. 


Ballard,  Elder  C.  B.,  of  Hunter's 
Springs,  W.  Va.  This  faithful  minister 
has  the  care  of  churches  in  the 
hounds  of  the  Indian  Creek  Associa- 
tion and  is  also  clerk  of  this  body. 


fourth  year  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 
Among  his  last  words  he  said:  "I  am 
going   home." 


RILEY     BALLARD. 


Ballard,  Elder  Riley,  was  born  in 
Monroe  County,  W.  Va.,  February  21, 
1838,  and  died  March  8,  1902.  Was 
ordained  deacon  November  1,  1879. 
Was  with  others  constituted  into  the 
Flat  Wjoods  Church,  where  he  re- 
mained a  faithful  member  the  remain- 
der of  his  life.  The  church  seeing  his 
qualifications  and  believing  Mm  to  be 
called  of  God  to  preach,  gave  him 
license,  and  July  23,  1893,  ordained 
him  to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry. 
He  was  soon  called  to  take  the  care 
of  the  four  churches  nearest  him,  he 
served  them  faithfully  as  one  that 
careth  for  the  sheep,  and  he  left  all 
the  churches  in  a  warm  healthy  con- 
dition. He  was  appointed  moderator 
of  the  Indian  Creek  Association  in 
1901  and   served   this  body   faithfully. 


WILLIAM     W.     BARNES. 


Barnes,  Elder  William  W,  (1824- 
1908),  of  North  Carolina,  was  born  in 
Wilson  County  and  was  married  to 
Mary  Eure,  January  9,  1845.  He  had 
long  before  his  death  been  a  Primi- 
tive Baptist,  uniting  with  the  church 
at  White  Oak,  Wilson  County,  N.  C. 
He  was  ordained  there,  and  was  the 
oldest  Primitive  Baptist  preacher  in 
this  country.  He  moved  to  Hyde 
County,  N.  C,  January,  1882,  where 
he  died.  Elder  Barnes,  was  a  clear, 
sound  preacher  in  the  doctrine,  and 
in  his  early  ministry  baptized  many 
people.  His  churches  prospered.  He 
was  active  and  laborious  as  a  preach- 
er taking  long  trips  among  the 
churches,  and  was  well  received 
among  the     Baptists.     In   his   eighty- 


J.   T.   BARNES. 


Barnes,  Elder  J.  T.,  ofl  Missouri, 
was  born  in  Boone  County,  Mo.,  Octo- 
ber 13,  1855,  and  united  with  Little 
Arrow  Rock  Church  in  Saline  County, 
in  June,  1889,  and  has  since  had  the 
care  of  churches,  to  which  he 
preaches  salvation  by  grace  alone. 
He  is  firm  in  the  faith  and  practice 
of  the  Apostolic  Church,  and  the  edi- 
tor regrets  a  more  complete  sketch 
could  not  be  obtained. 


J.   A.    BATES. 


Bates,  Elder  J.  A.,  was  born  in  Tus- 
caloosa County,  Ala.,  November  1G, 
1834,  and  died  August  7,  1896.  He  ex- 
perienced a  hope  in  1857,  and  two 
years  afterwards  joined  the  Mission- 
ary Baptist  Church.  Shortly  after- 
wards he  was  ordained  as  a  minister 
of  that  order  and  officiated  as  a  min- 


26 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


ister  until  he  had  lived  with  them 
twenty  years,  in  which  time  he  be- 
came dissatisfied  and  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Bethle- 
hem, Neshoba  County,  Miss.,  on  the 
12th  of  October,  1879,  and  in  a  short 
time  was  called  to  ordination  by  that 
church,  and  was  set  apart  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry.  He  was  sound 
in  the  faith,  and  contended  earnestly 
for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
Saints;  and  salvation  by  grace  was 
his  theme.  He  lived  an  orderly  mem- 
ber of  the  church,  and  was  ever 
found  at  his  regular  meetings,  when 
not  providentially  hindered.  A  good 
man,  a  faithful  husband,  a  loving 
father,  a  zealous  member  of  the 
church,  and,  above  all,  a  Christian 
and  faithful  minister  of  Jesus. 


EPHRAIM    BARKER. 

Barker,  Elder  Ephrain,  of  Gratiot, 
Ohio.  The  editor  failing  to  secure 
data  for  a  more  extended  sketch  of 
Elder  Barker  quotes  the  following 
from  Elder  Potter's  Souvenir  book 
printed  1905.  He  "was  born  October  2, 
1829,  was  baptized  1858,  and  ordained 
May  3,  18G8.  He  labors  as  pastor  of 
several  churches  and  his  labors  and 
counsel  are  highly  appreciated  by  his 
brethren.  He  has  the  care  of  about 
four  churches." 


DAVID     BARTLEY. 

Bartley,  Elder  David.  For  a  long 
period  of  his  eventful  life  Elder  Bart- 
ley was  a  citizen  of  Crawfordsville, 
Ind.  He  was  the  ninth  child  and  sixth 


son  of  Elder  John  P.  and  Charity 
Bartley  and  was  born  in  Ohio  April 
26,  1827.  In  his  seventeenth  year  of 
age,  he  was  deeply  convicted  of  sin„ 
but  was  not  able  to  claim  a  personal 
hope  in  the  Saviour  until  about  ten 
years  later.  During  this  period  of 
time  many  were  his  trials,  tempta- 
tions and  deliverances;  much  his 
sorrow,  sadness  and  darkness,  but  out 
of  it  all  the  Lord  delivered  him,  gave 
him  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  and  made 
him  willing  to  be  anything  in  the 
house  of  God;  and  in  June,  1854,  he 
united  with  Conn's  Creek  Church  and 
in  January,  1857,  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry.  Elder  Bartley  was 
not  only  a  deep  and  instructive 
preacher,  but  was  an  able  writer  on 
spiritual  subjects.  He  was  a  frequent 
writer  for  the  "Signs  of  the  Times,"  the 
"Monitor"  and  others  of  our  periodicals 
and  also  wrote  and  published  the  fol- 
lowing books:  "Early  Religious  Life" 
(of  himself),  "Man  Redeemed,"  anc* 
"Mercy  Deering."  These  writings  and 
others  of  like  character  manifest  his 
deep  spiritual  nature  and  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  the  Bible — his  chief 
text-book.  Elder  Bartley  had  the  care 
of  several  churches,  traveled  and 
preached  in  many  states  and  was  ex- 
tensively known  among  the  Baptists 
of  the  United  States,  both  as  a  writer 
and  preacher,  and  continued  active  in 
the  ministry  almost  until  his  death  a 
few  years  ago,  but  the  editor's  failure 
to  procure  proper  information  forbids 
an  extended  notice  of  his  life  and 
labor, 


J.    N.    BARTLETT. 

Bartlett,  Elder  J.  N.,  of  Pennsylva- 
nia. This  faithful  minister  of  Jesus 
is  the  beloved  moderator  of  the  Juni- 
ata Primitive  Baptist  Association, 
and  has  the  care  of  churches  in  this 
locality.  Specific  information  as  to 
his  life  and  labors  could  not  be  se- 
cured. 


G.    M.    BARTLETT. 

Bartlett,  Elder  G.  M.,  of  Alabama. 
This  much  esteemed  brother  was 
born  near  Salisbury,  N.  O,  January 
18,  1828,  and  while  a  small  boy  mov- 
ed with  his  father  to  Monroe  County, 
Ga.  Wlhen  a  man  he  went  to  Tallapoo- 
sa County,  Ala.,  and  in  1852  was  bap- 
tized into  the  fellowship  of  Emmaus 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  in  said 
county  by  Elder  John  M.   Duke;    and 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


27 


October  5th,  1875,  the  church  at 
Mount  Gilead  ordained  him  deacon; 
and  August  21,  1880,  he  was  licensed 
to  preach,  and  in  Hopewell  Church, 
Heard  County,  Ga.,  he  was  ordained 
to  the  fullwork  of  the  ministry  Sep- 
tember 7,  1895,  by  Elders  R.  T. 
Speight,  H.  S.  Burson,  and  W.  P.  Mer- 
rell.  He  then  moved  to  Cullman  Coun- 
ty, Ala.,  and  by  letter  joined  Fellow- 
ship Church,  where  he  remained  a 
faithful  and  orderly  member  till  his 
death,  which  occurred  June  12,  1898. 
He  was  a  faithful  and  humble  defend- 
er of  Primitive  Baptist  doctrine  and 
practice. 


THOMAS    BARTON. 

Bartcn,  Elder  Thomas,  of  New  Jer- 
sey was  born  September  10,  1787,  near 
Washington  city.  His  conviction  as  a 
sinner  in  the  sight  of  God  was  sud- 
den almost  as  lightning,  and  also  as 
effectual.  He  -was  in  the  ball-room, 
engaged  in  the  festivities  of  the 
dance,  when  he  was  shocked  and 
astounded  by  a  sense  of  the  divine 
presence  and  his  own  guilty  condi- 
tion, and  all  further  interest  in  the 
amusements  of  the  hour  was  at  once 
ended.  This  was  in  early  youth.  And 
to  a  man  of  his  uncommonly  lively 
social  disposition  and  flow  of  animal 
spirits,  the  change  must  have  been 
indeed  wonderful.  But  the  current  of 
his  whole  after  life  was  changed.  His 
own  experience  afforded  him  an 
answer  always  to  arguments  as  to 
preaching  being  the  means  of  the 
conviction  and  conversion  of  sin- 
ners. It  was  not  the  means  in  his 
case;  he  had  not  been  hearing  any 
preaching.  He  said  he  never  had  be- 


come  acquainted  with  an  instance  of 
such  pungent  exercises  and  deep  dis- 
tress as  his  own.  As  in  Paul's  case,  it 
was   comparable  to   a  crucifixion;    yei 
he   was   always   very   tender   and   for- 
bearing   towards    those    whose    exper- 
ience   was     gradual,      and    who    were 
drawn   mainly   by   the    cords    of    love. 
His  baptism  appears  to  have  been  in 
the  year  1810,  and  his  ordination  two 
years  later.  Elder  Barton  does  not  ap- 
pear to  have  ever  been  allured  by  the 
flattering    pretensions    of    the    various 
societies    and    institutions    that    were 
gotten  up  as  auxiliaries  to  the  church. 
He  lived  before  them,  saw  their  rise 
and  progress,  and  was  present  at  the 
Black-Rock   convention   in   1832    when 
they  finally  were  scourged  out  of  the 
temple.      His    conversational    powers 
were  rather  extraordinary;  and  an  in- 
exhaustible fund  of  humor,  of  wit,  of 
anecdote,    of    apt    and    striking    meta- 
phor seemed  to  be  always  accessable. 
His   manner     of   preaching     was    not 
what  is  called  declamatoiy,  but  rather 
illustrative.     His  figures     and   similes 
would    oftentimes    amuse,    but    at    the 
same  time  they  would  instruct.  Their 
effect    was      solemn    conviction.      His 
forte  seemed  to  be  to  instruct  and  es- 
tablish,  rather  than  to   gather  in,  yet 
to  the   children  he  was  certainly  one 
of  those  fathers  of  which  we  have  not 
many.    He    was    pastor     of    a   Baptist 
church  in  Washington  City  for  a  time, 
and      traveled      much      over      rough, 
rocky  and     mountainous     districts  in 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  on  horse- 
back,   preaching    for    small,    destitute 
churches,  at  private  houses,   and   any 
and  all  places  where  there  was  a  door 
opened.  He  shrank  from  no  hardship, 
no   exposure     to   winter     storms   and 
snows,   but   went   everywhere,   and   at 
all      seasons,      preaching     the     word. 
Elder  Barton  was  polished  in  his  man- 
ners, graceful  in  his  appearance,  with 
considerable   native     eloquence   about 
him.  The  New  School  division  seemed 
disposed  to  claim,  in  part,  at  least  to 
persuade  themselves,  that  he  was  not 
as  hard  as  the     rest,     and  that  they 
would    be    very   willing    to    have    him 
with    them.    On    one    occasion    one    of 
their  young  divinity  students  sent  him 
a   challenge   to   hold    a  public   debate 
with  him.     He  sent     him     answer  to 
"Tarry  at  Jericho  until  his  beard  was 
grown."  At  another  time  they  appoint- 
ed him  a  Director  in  one  of  their  pet 
institutions,   and   sent  him  a  commis- 
sion.  He  returned   answer  that  if  he 
had  any  directions  to  give  it  would  be 
in  the  words  of  Jehu,  2  Kings,  ix.  34: 
"Go  see  now  this  cursed  woman  and 


28 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


bury  her,  for  she  is  a  king's  daugh- 
ter." The  apostolic  practice  was  his 
model,  and  he  was  always  consistent. 
He  never  hired  himself  out  to  preach. 
Although  in  his  earlier  years  he  was 
surrounded  with  the  practice  of  ask- 
ing and  receiving  pecuniary  stipula- 
tions, even  among  Baptists,  the  price 
of  his  services  was  never  valued  with 
dollars  and  cents.  He  went  forth 
nothing  doubting,  and  returned  saying 
that  he  had  lacked  nothing.  He  was 
accustomed  to  saying  that  the  Lord 
had  only  promised  him  bread  and 
water,  but  that  he  had  fared  much 
better  than  that.  The  whole  period  of 
his  ministry  embraced  nearly  sixty 
years.  It  might  with  great  propriety 
be  said  of  him  that  "He  finished  his 
course  with  joy,  and  the  ministry  that 
he  had  received."  It  was  a  favorite 
sentiment  with  him:  "When  a  man's 
ways  please  the  Lord,  he  makes  even 
his  enemies  to  be  at  peace  with  him." 
He  died  peacefully,  surrounded  by  lov- 
ing brethren  and  a  devoted  family,  in 
the'  triumphs  of  faith,  in  the  eighty- 
third  year  of  his  age. 


R.   BATTEL. 

Battel,  Elder  R.,  of  Scotts,  Ark.,  is 
Moderator  of  the  Original  Pine  Light 
Association  and  serves  churches  with- 
in the  bounds  of  this  association.  For 
lack  of  sufficient  data  an  extended 
notice  could  not  be  given  of  Elder  Bat- 
tel's life  and  labors. 


J.   E.  BATTLE. 

Battle,  Elder  J.  E.  (1858-1908),  was 
born  in  Marion  County,  Ga.,  convicted 
of  sin  in  his  youth,  united  with  Shi- 
loh  church,  near  Prattsburg,  in  Tal- 
bott  County,  in  1880,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  John  Hickey.  He  was  a  trav- 
eling salesman  and  seldom  had  the 
privilege  of  association  with  his  breth- 
ren but  had  great  love  for  them,  and 
for  twenty-four  years  carried  the  bur- 
den of  an  impression  to  preach  the 
gospel.  On  July  23,  1903,  he  was  lib- 
erated by  the  Church  to  preach,  and 
having  suffered  sufficiently  to  be 
made  willing,  having  learned  by  expe- 
rience the  lesson  learned  by  Jonah, 
that  "Salvation  is  of  the  Lord,"  he 
entered  boldly  into  the  proclamation 
of  the  gospel.  Soon  his  gift  made 
room  for  him,  and  October  10,  1905, 
he  was  ordained  by  Elders  J.  M.  Mur- 


ray, D.  F.  Woodall  and  S.  T.  Bentley. 
While  his  ministerial  life  was  very 
short,  it  was  characterized  by  faith- 
fulness in  contending  earnestly  for  the 
doctrine  of  his  Lord,  never  for  a  mo- 
ment willing  to  compromise  truth 
with  error,  ever  manifesting  a  desire 
to  know  nothing  among  the  people 
but  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified 
for  salvation;  claiming  no  honor  for 
himself,  but  magnifying  the  name  of 
the  Lord.  Brother  Battle  was  a  man 
of  high  moral  character,  faithful  in 
all  the  relations  of  life,  true  to  his 
convictions  of  right  None  who  knew 
him  doubted  his  integrity.  They  might 
differ  with  him  in  his  opinions,  but 
they  were  obliged  to  acknowledge  his 
sincerity.  Merchants  have  often  said 
that  they  never  called  in  question 
what  he  told  them  about  goods  that 
he  offered  for  sale,  nor  doubted  his 
honesty.  By  his  life  of  faithfulness  he 
has  left  to  his  children  a  rich  legacy 
and  to  his  wife  a  sweet  memory  of 
having  been  the  wife  of  such  a  man 
and  the  mother  of  his  five  children. 


WARREN    L.   BATTLE. 

Battle,  Elder  Warren  L.  This  great- 
ly afflicted,  but  gifted  man  was  born 
in  1822,  and  died  at  his  home  in 
Lowndes  County,  Ga.,  December  21, 
1886.  He  was  baptized  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  Phillipi  Church,  Schley  Coun- 
ty, by  Elder  J.  R.  Respess.  Was  or- 
dained deacon  in  the  Summer  of  1871, 
and  moved  to  Geneva,  Ga.,  in  the 
Spring  of  1872,  and  united  with  the 
Upatoie  Church.  In  the  fall  of  1876 
he  moved  to  Orange  County,  Fla.,  and 
he  and  his  wife  put  their  letters  in  ai 
the  constitution  of  Fellowship 
Church,  Mt.  Enon  Association,  which 
church  soon  after  licensed  him  to 
preach.  He  lived  in  Florida  three 
years,  and  moved  back  to  Georgia 
1880,  and  united  with  Cat  Creek 
Church,  which  church  had  him  or- 
dained to  the  gospel  ministry  in  Sep- 
tember, 1884.  He  was  wonderfully 
gifted  in  the  spiritual  meaning  of  the 
written  word  of  God,  and  was  an  un- 
assuming preacher.  He  often  said  he 
was  not  worth  anything  to  the  cause 
as  a  preacher,  but  the  brotherhood 
throughout  his  acquaintance  greatly 
appreciated  the  gift  of  Brother  Battle. 
The  last  time  he  ever  spoke  publicly 
he  was  too  feeble  to  stand,  and  sat  in 
his  chair  and  closed  the  services  by 
talking  a  short  while,  and  many  will 
long  remember  the  dear  brother's 
good  talk.  He  made  known  to  the  con- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


29 


gregation  that  his  departnre  was  near 
at  hand;  that  perfect  love  casteth  out 
all  fear,  therefore  he  was  not  afraid 
to  die.  He  begged  the  saints  present 
to  honor  their  profession  by  a  well- 
ordered  walk  and  a  God-like  conversa- 
tion. These  few  remarks  in  the  way 
of  preaching  to  the  people  were  his 
dying  testimony.  He  was  always 
cheerful  and  pleasant  until  within  a 
few  days  of  his  death,  a  faithful  sol- 
dier of  Jesus — a  man  much  beloved, 
drank  his  cup  of  suffering  patiently 
and  has  been  honorably  discharged 
from  the  warfare. 


C.   P.   BEADLE. 

Beadle,  Elder  C.  P.,  of  Thurston, 
O.,  was  born  near  Stilesville,  Ind.,  Feb- 
buary  18,  1867;  received  a  hope  in 
Christ  January  13,  1896,  and  united 
with  the  New  School  or  "Missionary" 
Baptists,  but  soon  became  dissatisfied 
with  them  and  did  not  feei  at  home; 
was  led  to  leave  this  church  and 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
December  12,  1896.  He  soon  began 
talking  in  public  and  was  on  Novem- 
ber 17,  1900,  ordained  to  the  full  func- 
tions of  the  gospel  and  has  since  had 
the  care  of  churches,  is  now  serving 
three,  and  has  traveled  and  preached 
among  the  Baptists  of  five  states. 
Elder  Beadle  is  satisfied  with  the  doc- 
trine and  practice  of  Christ  and  his 
apostles  and  wants  nothing  of  human 
origin   in  the  house  of  God. 


ADDISON     BEARD. 

Beard,  Elder  Addison,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia,   died   about    the   year    1898.    He 


was  a  native  of  Macon  County,  and 
served  churches  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Pocatalico  Associations  for  about 
twenty  years.  A  full  sketch  of  his  life 
and  labors  could  not  be  secured. 


I.   P.    BEAN. 

Bean,  Elder  I.  P.,  was  born  Septem- 
ber 8,  1851,  and  died  December  6, 
1894.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of 
the  Big  Creek  Church  and  soon  after 
uniting  with  the  church  was  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel  minis- 
try. He  was  a  faithful  and  exemplary 
minister  until  his  death. 


GILBERT   BEEBE. 

Beebe,  Elder  Gilbert.  There  has, 
perhaps,  been  few  men  since  the  days 
of  the  Apostles  more  gifted  in  natural 
and  spiritual  abilities  than  ay  as  Elder 
Beebe.  Bold  and  fearless,  he  fDr  more 
than  sixty  years,  with  tongue  and  pen, 
faithfully  defended  the  doctrine  of  sal- 
vation alone  by  the  grace  of  God,  and 
during  his  ministry  he  preached  aboui 
10,000  sermons  and  traveled  about 
200,000  miles,— sent  forth,  not  in  the 
manner  of  modern  missionaries,  by 
"Missionary  Funds,"  but  in  the  man- 
ner of  the  Apostles  and  disciples,  by 
the  God  of  grace  and  providence,  who 
supplied  all  his  necessities;  thus  ex- 
hibiting to  this  materialistic,  unbeliev- 


30 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


in  age,  a  life  of  divine  faith,  and  di- 
vine support.  In  1832  he  founded  a 
semi-monthly  periodical  called  the 
"Signs  of  the  Times,"  which  he  con- 
tinued to  issue  till  his  death.  Elder 
Beebe  was  born  in  Norwich,  Conn., 
November  25,  1800,  and  died  May  2, 
1SS1.  At  a  very  early  age  he  was  se- 
riously impressed  with  a  solemn  con- 
viction of  his  sinful  and  lost  condition 
as  a  sinner  and  the  necessity  of  be- 
ing born  again  to  qualify  him  to  see 
the  Kingdom  of  God.  When  he  was 
about  seven  years  old  he  was  made  to 
hope  and  rejoice  in  God  as  his  Sa- 
viour. At  this  tender  age  he  was 
taught  that  salvation  was  of  the  Lord, 
and  never  afterwards  had  the  least 
confidence  in  the  power  of  men  to 
effect  or  help  in  the  salvation  of  sin- 
ners. He  united  with  the  Baptist 
Church  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  when  in 
his  eleventh  year  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  John  Sterry,  was  licensed  in 
his  eighteenth  year  and  began  at  once 
to  travel  as  an  itinerant  preacher 
and  was  soon  called  to  the 
service  of  several  churches.  During 
his  ministry  he  served  the  following 
churches:  the  church  in  Norwich,  Eb- 
enezer,  Ramopo,  New  Vernon  and 
Middletown  and  Wallkill  in  New 
York;  the  Third  Baptist  Church  in 
Baltimore,  Upper  Broad  Run  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  Shiloh  in  Washington,  D.  C. 
Elder  Beebe  in  his  auto-biography 
says:  "The  division,  or  separation  of 
the  Missionary  Baptists  from  the  Old 
Order,  took  place  in  1832 — during  my 
ministry.  *  *  *  I  found  no  occasion 
to  depart  from  either  the  faith  or  or- 
der of  the  church  of  God,  as  organized 
on  the  day  of  Pentecost.  I  cannot  find 
"by  sixty  years  of  careful  and  prayer- 
ful searching  of  the  Scriptures,  that 
those  Primitive  Saints  who  gladly  re- 
ceived the  word  at  Pentecost,  and 
continued  steadfastly  in  the  apostles' 
doctrine  and  fellowship  had  any  re- 
ligious organization  as  auxiliaries  to 
the  church,  existing  among  them.  No 
Mission  Boards  for  converting  the 
heathen,  or  for  evangelizing  the 
world;  no  Sunday  Schools  as  nurs- 
eries to  the  church;  no  schools  of  any 
kind  for  teaching  theology  or  divinity, 
or  for  preparing  young  men  for  the 
ministry."  For  about  fifty  years  El- 
der Beebe  was  the  able  editor  oi  the 
"Signs  of  the  Times,'  and  in  his  de- 
clining years  said,  "My  voice  will  soon 
be  silenced  in  death,  my  pen  pass  into 
the  hands  of  another,  and  I  hope  abler 
writer,  but  the  eternal  truths  for 
which  I  have  so  long  contended  will 
be  lasting  as  the  days  of  eternity; 
and  when  all  the  deceptive  and  luring 


doctrines  and  institutions  of  men  shall 
be  exposed,  and  all  who  have  trusted 
in  a  refuge  of  lies  shall  bewail  their 
folly  and  call  for  the  rocks  and  moun- 
tains to  hide  them  from  the  face  of 
Him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lamb,  those 
who  know  and  love  the  truth  shall  in 
the  truth  rejoice  forevermore." 


WM.    L.    BEEBE. 

Beebe,  Elder  Wm.  L.,  son  of  Elder 
Gilbert  Beebe,  was  born  October  3, 
1829;  died  March  28,  1901.  At  the  age 
of  twelve  he  was  baptized  by  his 
father  into  the  fellowship  of  New  Ver- 
non Old  School  Baptist  Church,  New 
York.  Married  in  his  twentieth  year 
to  Miss  Ella  Welch,  at  Middletown,  N. 
Y.,  and  began,  about  this  time,  to  ex- 
ercise his  gift  of  preaching.  He  moved 
to  the  state  of  Georgia  before  the  civil 
war,  and  there,  for  many  years,  served 
churches  and  edited  the  Southern  Bap- 
tist Messenger,  a  periodical  devoted 
to  the  Old  School  Baptist  cause.  Here, 
in  1857,  he  lost  his  wife  and  was  mar- 
ried to  Mrs.  John  Hawkins,  who  died 
in  1880.  He  was,  in  1883,  married  the 
third  time,  to  Miss  Tillie  A.  Scott  of 
Oswego,  N.  Y.  He,  in  connection  with 
his  brother  Benton  L.  Beebe,  edited 
and  published  the  "Signs  of  The 
Times"  from  about  1881  until  his 
death,  and  served  Ebenezer,  Warwick, 
Shoal  Creek,  Hollis  Springs  and  other 
churches,  and  leaves  the  record  of 
having  discharged  his  duties  well 
wherever  his  lot  has  been  cast.  He 
was,  indeed,  a  devoted  husoand,  lov- 
ing father  and  kind  friend,  an  able 
expounder  of  the  Scriptures,  and  was 
fearless  in  opposing  error,  and  faith- 
ful in  the  service  of  his  Mhster.  He 
traveled  extensively  during  his  public 
life  of  half  a  century  and  was  widely 
known  among  our  people  in  the 
United   States   and  Canada. 


SAMUEL    BEENE. 

Beene,  Elder  Samuel,  was  born  in 
Franklin  County,  Tenn.,  July  4,  1813, 
and  died  in  Jasper,  Marion  County, 
Tenn.,  November  23,  189G.  He  obtain- 
ed a  hope  in  Chiist  at  the  early  age 
of  thirteen  years,  but  did  not  unite 
with  the  church  till  he  was  more  than 
thirty  years  of  age.  He  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Swee- 
ton's  Cove,  Marion  County,  Tenn., 
about  the  year  184G,  and  was  baptized 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


31 


by  Elder  John  P.  Walker.  Soon  after 
he  joined  the  church,  he  was  made  to 
feel  that  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  had 
an  important  work  for  him  to  perform 
in  declaring  the  glorious  truths  of  His 
blessed  gospel.  Being,  as  he  believed, 
and  as  we  believe,  impressed  of  the 
Lord  to  this  great  and  responsible 
work,  he  soon  began  to  preach,  and 
his  church,  feeling  satisfied  that  the 
hand  of  the  Lord  was  in  the  work, 
called  a  presbytery  consisting  of  Eld- 
ers Thomas  Hargis  and  Samuel  Mc- 
Bee,  which  convened  July  19,  1854, 
and,  after  a  due  consideration  of  his 
gift,  set  him  apart  to  the  full  work  of 
a  gospel  minister;  and  I  here  feel  to 
say,  and  believe  that  I  voice  the  sen- 
timent of  all  who  knew  him,  that 
there  have  been  but  few,  or  perhaps 
none,  who  have  proven  more  faithful 
to  the  charge  committed  to  them  than 
was  our  dear  old  father  in  Israel.  Al- 
most all  the  time  during  his  long  min- 
isterial life,  he  had  the  care  of  three 
or  four  churches,  some  of  which  were 
at  a  considerable  distance;  yet  the 
weather  was  never  too  bad  for  him  to 
be  in  attendance,  going  through  rain, 
cold  and  heat,  and  with  all  the  bold- 
ness and  earnestness  of  a  true  soldier, 
ready  to  meet  the  enemy  at  all  times 
and  places.  He  was  one  that  believed 
in  practicing  what  he  preached,  and  of 
him  it  can  be  truly  said  by  those  who 
have  so  often  listened  to  his  strong 
admonitions:  "He  gave  us  good  ad- 
vice." It  would  be  difficult  to  find  one 
who  has  been  more  industrious,  and 
who  showed  a  stronger  determination 
to  be  self-sustaining,  and  while  he  be- 
lieved and  earnestly  contended  that  it 
was  the  duty  of  the  church  to  see  af- 
ter the  needs  of  her  pastor,  yet  he  was 
willing,  like  Paul  the  Apostle,  to  labor 
with  his  own  hands  that  he  might  not 
be  chargeable  to  his  brethren. 


J.   C.   BEEMAN. 

Beeman,  Elder  J.  C,  was  born  in 
Green  County,  Penn.,  September  12, 
1811,  and  was  a  son  of  Elder  Elijah 
Beeman.  He  was  baptized  in  the  fel- 
lowship of!  the  Providence  Church, 
September  29,  1829,  by  Elder  David 
Layman,  and  began  preaching  the 
same  month.  In  early  life  he  taught 
school,  but  in  some  localities  he  met 
with  opposition  from  the  patrons  who  [ 
were  Arminians.  At  one  place  the 
prejudice  was  so  strong  against  him 
for  being  a  Baptist  preacher,  that  ht 
was  dismissed  from  the  school.  In 
speaking    of    this    occurrence    ai    oni,    | 


time,  he  said:  "They  very  well  knew 
that  if  they  were  teaching  school  that 
they  would  try  to  teach  their  religion, 
and  they  judged  that  I  would  do  the 
same.  After  this  I  went  to  traveling 
and  preaching  harder  than  ever." 
When  the  division  took  place  in  1832 
he  was  on  the  side  of  the  "free  grace" 
Baptists  who  were  called  Old  School, 
to  distinguish  them  from  tne  Mew,  oi 
Missionary  Baptists.  He  was  also  val- 
iant for  the  truth  when  Campbellism 


J.    C.    BEEMAN 

or  New-lightism  struck  the  West  with 
its  plausible  story,  and  was  always  a 
champion  for  salvation  by  grace. 
Election  was  a  favorite  theme  of  his, 
believing  that  God's  people  were 
chosen  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the 
world  began,  being  predestinated  unto 
the  adoption  of  children  by  Jesus 
Christ  according  to  the  good  pleasure 
of  God's  will.  Elder  Beeeman  was  a 
systematic  speaker,  beginning  his  dis- 
courses with  arguments  that  were 
self-evident,  laying  as  it  were,  a  foun- 
dation, then  using  his  best  language 
in  connection  with  positive  declara- 
tions of  Scripture  to  fill  up  the  ser- 
man,  and  when  he  was  through  he  quit. 
Very  few  of  his  day  handled  a  text 
with  more  skill.  None  were  more  at- 
tached to  the  cause  of  truth,  and  popu- 
larity held  out  no  inducement  for 
him  to  leave  the  plain  teaching  of  the 
Scriptures.  He  would  rather  be  with 
a  few  or  even  alone  and  be  right,  than 
to  be  in  error  with  the  multitude.  It 
is  probable  that  he  was  longer  in  the 
ministry  than,  any  man  of  his  day  in 
the  state  of  Ohio.  Commencing  his 
labors  at  eighteen  he  continued  with- 
out cessation  seventy-six  years; 
preaching    his    last    discourse    on    the 


32 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


occasion  of  his  94th  birthday  in  Blan- 
chester,  Ohio,  in  1905.  His  eventful 
and  useful  life  terminated  October  of 
the  same  year  in  the  evident  triumph 
of  faith. 


ELIJAH    BEEMAN. 

Beeman,  Elder  Elijah,  was  bcrn  in 
the  state  of  Vermont  about  year  1781, 
and  was  the  son  of  Elijah  Beeman, 
captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  who 
immigrated  from  England,  and  was 
no  doubt  related  to  the  late  Isaac 
Beeman,  minister  of:  the  gospel,  Cran- 
brook,  Kent,  England,  who  was  a  Par- 
ticular Baptist,  and  special  friend  of 
Wm.  Huntington.  In  early  life  Elder 
Beeman  left  his  native  state  for  New 
York,  was  married  in  the  year  1800 
to  Miss  Clarinda  Mix,  joined  the  Bap- 
tists in  early  life  and  soon  became  a 
pioneer  preacher  in  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  in  the  wilds  of  what  is  now 
"Wjest  Virginia.  He  was  firmly  estab- 
lished in  the  doctrine  of  Election  and 
Predestination,  God's  sovereignty  and 
salvation  by  grace.  By  the  providence 
of  God  his  life  was  short.  He  died 
October  5,  1823,  in  his  43rd  year, 
while  on  a  preaching  tour  in  Galia 
County,   Ohio. 


JEFF    F.    BEEMAN. 

Beeman,  Elder  Jeff.  F.,  of  Helena, 
Okla.,  the  son  of  Ariel  and  Catherine 
(Barry)  Beeman,  was  bom  in  Warren 
County,  O.,  January  24,  1845.  At 
school  he  was  an  apt  scholar  and  was 
especially  proficiant  in  mathematics. 
Before  he  was  fifteen  he  had  finished 
Algebra  and  began  the  study  of  geom- 


etry. Soon  his  health  broke  down;  he 
was  reduced  to  a  mere  skeleton  and 
was  given  up  to  die.  Up  tc  this  time 
he  had — to  use  his  own  words, — been 
"a  little  infidel,"  but  now  was  made 
to  pray  for  mercy,  to  see  the  way  of 
salvation  and  given  a  sweet  hope  in 
the  Saviour.  In  this  experience  he  was 
made  to  feel  that  he  would  die,  and 
he  told  his  mother  he  felt  so  im- 
pressed, sent  for  many  of  his  friends 
and  neighbors  to  come  to  see  him  die; 
but  as  they  would  come  into  the  room 
he  would  begin  to  preach  Jesus  to 
them.  He  got  well  without  the  use  oi 
medicine,  which  he  had  for  years  de- 
pended upon,  and  like  Paul  "confer- 
red not  with  flesh  and  blood,"  but 
united  with  the  church,  was  baptized 
by  Elder  J.  C.  Beeman,  October,  1860, 
and  began  preaching  Jesus  a  few 
months  afterwards.  But  soon  he.  be- 
came ashamed  of  his  forwardness, 
concluded  he  was  mistaken,  aim  toi 
years  tried  to  stifle  the  impression 
within  him  to  preach.  This  experience 
was  bitter,  led  him  to  try,  Jonah  like, 
to  run  away,  hired  to  a  photographer, 
traveled  from  place  to  place,  landed 
in  Chicago,  then  St.  Louis,  and  in 
this  aimless,  restless  condition,  joined 
the  army,  was  sent  to  the  front  and 
unhurt  passed  through  the  raging  bat- 
tles and  storms  of  shot  and  shell, — ■ 
all  the  time  feeling  a  condemning  con- 
sciousness and  yet  a  faith  lhat  he 
could  not  be  killed  for  God  had  a 
work  for  him  to  do.  And  this  was  true, 
for  God  shielded  him,  brought  him 
back  home  and,  after  more  trials,  fin- 
ally to  the  church.  He  was  ordained 
May  9,  1878,  by  Elders  Thos.  Rose  and 
Joseph  Furr,  and  has  served  several 
churches  in  several  states  and  travel- 
ed considerably  among  the  Baptists. 
He  has,  since  moving  to  northwestern 
Oklahoma  in  1897,  organized  a  church 
near  him  which  he  is  serving  and 
which  the  Lord  is  blessing  with  some 
additions  and  with  peace. 


J.    K.    BEER. 

Beer,  Elder  J.  K.,  born  November 
19,  1817,  at  Belleville,  Ills.,  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptists  in  the  year  1832. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Elvira  White- 
side, October  3,  1844.  He  joined  the 
church  when  he  was  fifteen  years  old 
and  was  ordained  to  preach  the  gospel 
when  he  was  twenty-seven,  and  was 
in  active  service  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel  for  fifty  years,  and  died  when 
he  was  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  his 
age,  at  the  residence  of  his  only  liv- 
ing daughter  in  Mazon,  Ills. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


33 


J.  N.  BELL. 

Bell,  Elder  J.  N.,  the  subject  of  this 
notice  was  born  in  Pittsylvania  Coun- 
ty, Va.,  about  the  year  1820,  and  died 
at  his  home  in  Henry  County,  Va.,  on 
the  11th  day  of  July,  1892.  His  parents 
dying  when  he  was  quite  young,  he 
had  to  provide  for  his  living,  which 
he  did  in  a  manly  way,  working  and 
living  with  other  people,  until  he  had 
accumulated  sufficient  wealth  to  buy 
a  farm.  His  gift  and  calling  was  a 
noted  one,  notwithstanding  his  liter- 
ary education  was  cut  short  to  that 
degree  that  he  had  to  spell  the  words 
in  the  Bible  in  order  to  read,  when 
he  first  commenced  to  preach;  but 
his  knowledge  and  understanding  of 
the  Scriptures  proved  that  he  had 
been  taught  in  the  school  of  Christ. 
.He  preached  nearly  fifty  years,  and 
believing  that  it  was  by  the  sweat  of 
of  the  brow  that  he  should  eat  bread, 
he  labored  with  his  own  hands  for  the 
sustenance  of  the  outer  man,  and  was 
a  good  provider  for  his  family,  and 
like  our  Saviour,  was  a  man  of  sorrow 
and  acquainted  with  grief,  but  he 
bore  it  all  with  that  Christian  forti- 
tude that  belongs  to  the  Saints  of  God. 
As  a  pastor  he  was  ever  faithful,  feed- 
ing his  flock  with  the  divine  food 
which  the  child  of  God  so  much  needs. 


THOMAS    BELL. 

Bell,  Elder  Thomas,  of  Wampee,  S. 
C.  This  aged,  faithful  and  highly  es- 
teemed minister  of!  Jesus  has  for 
many  years  served  as  Moderator  of 
the  Mill  Branch  Association.  He  has 
been  a  preacher  of  righteousness  for 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  and 
lives  the  gospel  he  preaches.  His  ser- 
vices have  been  mostly  confined  to 
the  churhes  of  the  Mill  Branch  Asso- 
ciation, though  he  has  traveled  and 
preached  some  in  other  states  and 
has  been  favorably  received.  The  edi- 
tor regrets  that  sufficient  data  could 
not  be  secured  for  a  more  extended 
sketch  of  Elder  Bell's  useful  life  and 
labors. 


HARRISON  C.   BELL. 

Bell,  Elder  Harrison  C,  of  West 
Salem,  Ills.,  was  born  in  Illinois  on 
the  5th  day  of  November,  1839,  and 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
in  June,  1870,  and  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in  August,  1873, 


and  for  many  years  he  proved  a  faith- 
ful and  devoted  pastor  of  churches, 
but  a  full  account  ofi  his  life  and  la- 
bors could  not  be  obtained. 


WILLIAM    E.    BELLAMY. 

Bellamy,  Elder  William  E.,  the  sub 
ject  of  this  brief  sketch,  died  at  his 
home  in  Halifax  County,  N.  C,  De- 
cember 7,  1895.  His  membership  was 
at  Rocky  Swamp  Church.  He  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
try and  faithfully  served  churches  un- 
til his  death,  but  a  full  sketch  of  his 
life  and  labors  could  not  be  obtained. 


W.    R.    BELCHER. 

Belcher,  Elder  W.  R.,  of  Mayfield, 
Wash.,  was  born  in  Tazewell  County, 
Va.,  in  1852,  in  that  portion  now  Mc- 
Dowell County,  W.  Va.  His  father  was 
a  wicked  man  and  made  no  profession 
until  about  the  age  of  seventy.  His 
mother  was  a  member  of  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist.  He  was  raised  in  a  back- 
woods country  with  but  few  advan- 
tages of  an  education.  Four  months 
was  the  limit  of  his  school  days. 
From  a  small  boy  he  had  serious  and 
reverential  thoughts  of  God  though 
seldom  hearing  His  name  only  when 
taken  in  vain.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
he  was  convicted  of  sin,  but  it  was 
about  sixteen  years  before  he  united 
with  the  church.  During  this  period 
he  was  at  times,  in  much  trouble  and 
darkness,  and  experienced  the  rod  of 
God.  But  in  1885  he  was  given  a 
bright  hope  in  Jesus,  united  with  Elk- 
horn  Church,  was  elected  and  served 
as  clerk  for  several  years,  and  in  1887 
began  preaching  Jesus.  Three  years 
later  he  was  ordained.  During  the 
past  twenty  years  of  his  ministry  he 
has  served  several  churches,  has  en- 
gaged in  one  or  two  debates  with  min- 
isters of  other  denominations,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  by  his  brethren. 


JNO.    N.    BENBOW. 

Benbow,  Elder  Jno.  N.,  a  native  of 
Crenshaw  County,  Ala.,  was  born 
1840,  and  died  1906.  He  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  Harmony,  Sep- 
tember, 1875,  baptized  by  Elder  O.  H. 
P.  Cook,  and  ordained  to  the  full  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry  October,  1886. 
Elder    Benbow    was    a    man    of    small 


34 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTTST  MINISTERS 


pretensions,  yet  a  profound  thinkei 
and  able  exponent  of  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures and  a  strict  disciplinarian.  He 
was  a  quiet  and  peaceable  citizen, 
honest  and  upright  in  dealing  with 
others,  and,  in  that,  his  moral  charac- 
ter Avas  above  reproach.  He  was  not 
very  extensively  known  among  the 
Baptists  having  traveled  but  little 
among  them  at  a  distance,  and  hav- 
ing been  most  of  the  time  of  his  pub- 
lic ministry  afflicted  and  feeble  of 
body. 


NEVILLE     BENNETT. 

Bennett,  Elder  Neville,  of  North 
Carolina,  died  at  his  residence  near 
Wadesboro,  Anson  County,  April  6, 
1852,  in  his  fifty-second  year  of  age, 
leaving  a  wife  and  twelve  children, 
with  a  very  extensive  connection  and 
a  large  circle  of  acquaintances  to 
mourn  their  loss.  Elder  Bennett  was 
a  man  of  great  perserverance  and  was 
a  thrifty  farmer,  and  thus  by 
economy,  prudence  and  honesty  accu- 
mulated a  large  portion  of  this 
world's  goods.  He  was  distinguished 
for  his  firmness  and  integrity  both  in 
politics  and  in  his  religious  senti- 
ments. Although  rich,  he  did  not 
seem  disposed  to  mind  high  things 
but  condescended  to  men  of  low  es- 
tate. He  was  very  much  noted  for  his 
readiness  of  mind  and  boldness  of 
spirit  to  speak  his  mind,  or  give  his 
views  on  any  subject  he  understood, 
whether  it  was  liked  or  disliked,  be- 
lieved or  disbelieved  by  many  or  few; 
and  in  this  way  made  manifest  that 
he  loved  the  praise  of  God,  more  than 
the  praise  of  men;  and  this  he  would 
do  at  all  times,  and  on  all  occasions 
when  it  seemed  to  him  to  be  neces- 
sary, even  if  he  was  looked  upon  as  an 
enemy  because  he  told  the  truth.  Yet, 
he  was  a  man  of  tender  and  conde- 
scending feeling  in  a  good  cause,  but 
never  was  he  known  to  shun  the  truth 
for  the  sake  of  honor,  popularity  or 
wealth. 


Z.    H.    BENNETT. 

Bennett,  Elder  Z.  H.,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  is  a  citizen  of  Florida, 
and  now  resides  near  Ormond,  but 
was  born  in  Bullock  County,  Ga.,  July 
4,  1833.  He  served  in  the  Civil  war 
and  proved  a  faithful  soldier.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  a  far  more  glorious 
war  under  Jesus  as  his  Captain. 
About   the   time    he    united    with    the 


Primitive  Baptists  a  church  was  or- 
ganized in  his  house,  out  of  which 
small  beginning  the  churches  of  Pil- 
grim' Rest  Association  have  grown. 
Brother  Bennett  was  soon  ordained  to 
the  full  work  of  the  ministry  and  has 
proved  a  faithful  soldier  of  the  Cross. 
He  is  now  in  his  seventy-fifth  year 
and,  though  feeble  in  body,  is  strong 
in  mind.  For  about  seventeen  years 
he  has  served  as  Moderator  of  Pil- 
grims' Rest  and  other  associations. 


J.     L.     BENNETT. 

Bennett,  Elder  J.  L.,  of  Barry,  Ills. 
The  fol'owing  regarding  Elde.' 
Bennett  is  quoted  from  Elder 
Walter  Cash's  book  1896,  for  want  of 
more  recent  information.  Elder  Ben- 
nett "was  born  in  Bainbridge,  Chenan- 
go County,  N.  Y.,  February  1,  1824 
and  united  with  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists in  1840,  but  two  years  later  join- 
ed the  New  School  Baptists,  and  lat- 
er began  preaching  for  them.  In  1893 
he  united  with  North  Fork  Church  of 
Primitive  Baptists,  near  Paris,  Mo., 
and  was  there  ordained  to  the  minis- 
try, and  hopes  to  have  a  home  in  the 
church  of  Christ  the  remainder  of  his 
days." 


S,  T.   BENTLEY. 

Bentley,  Elder  S.  T.  This  gifted  and 
beloved  brother  is  a  highly  respected 
citizen    of    Culloden,    Ga.    Though    we 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


35 


have  been  unable  to  obtain  a  full 
sketch  of  his  life  and  labors,  we  clip 
the  following  auto-biography  from  the 
Primitive  Monitor:  "  I  w<w  born  Jan- 
uary 11,  1845.  The  fear  of  God  was 
put  into  my  heart  while  a  small  child 
which  has  gone  with  me  through  all 
the  shifting  scenes  of  life  to  the  pres- 
ent. I  was  reared  by  devout  Baptist 
parents,  my  father  being  a  minister 
in  the  house  of  God.  While  quite 
•young  I  joined  the  army  and  served 
over  two  years  in  the  war  between 
the  States.  The  good  Lord  shielded 
me  from  the  missiles  of  death  and 
permitted  me  to  return  home.  I  mar- 
ried Miss  Lizzie  Calhoun  October  28, 
1867,  who  has  been  a  helpmeet  in- 
deed in  all  the  duties  of  lifie.  I  was 
baptized  by  W.  C.  Cleveland  into  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church,  August, 
1883,  and  ordained  to  the  ministry 
December,  1885.  I  have  been  serving 
with  the  ability  given  me  from  four 
to  six  churches  up  to  this  time,  and 
can  truthfully  say,  that  I  have  never 
let  anything  of  a  worldly  nature  stand 
in  the  way  of  a  ministerial  duty. 
When  I  look  back  over  the  past 
twenty-five  years  and  indeed  over  my 
entire  life  I  can  see  the  Lord's  loving 
care  in  so  many  ways.  Now  as  I  go 
down  the  hill  of  life  I  feel  willing  to 
trust  all  to  him;  willing  to  do  all  that 
he  affords  me  health  and  strength  to 
do  for  His  glory  and  the  good  of  his 
people  until  the  time  comes  to  lay 
aside  my  armor.  Then  I  hope  to  be 
carried  over  the  river  of  death  to  the 
haven  of  peace  in  the  city  of  God." 


SAMUEL   BENTLEY. 

Bentley,  Elder  Samuel,  of  Georgia. 
From  an  auto-biography  of  Elder 
Bentley  published  in  the  Gospel  Mes- 
senger May,  1884,  it  is  learned  thai 
he  was  born  in  Wilkes  County,  June 
7,  181G;  married  Miss  Sarah  Carter  in 
1838,  who  bore  him  nine  children  and 
was  for  forty-five  years  a  faithful 
companion.  From  a  child  he  had  se- 
rious thoughts  of  hell  and  heaven,  life 
and  death,  and  when  about  fifteen 
years  old  was  convicted  of  sin  and 
during  many  years  following  was 
taught  by  experience  the  way  of  life 
and  salvation  more  perfectly.  He 
united  with  Ebenezer  Church  in  1844 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  John  Bar- 
ker; was  ordained  deacon  in  1845,  and 
in  1856  he  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
work  by  Elders  John  Dickey,  W.  C. 
Cleveland  and  J.  P.  Lyon.  He  served 
Bethlehem   Church   twenty   years   and 


had  the  pastoral  care  of  several  other 
churches.  Whs  for  several  years  Mod- 
erator of  the  Echeconnee  Association 
and  was  a  useful  and  influential  min- 
ister. 


JOSEPH   BIGGS. 

Biggs,  Elder  Joseph,  of  North  Caro- 
lina, was  born  November  12,  1776,  ex- 
perienced the  pardon  of  his  sins  in 
his  twenty-fifth  year;  joined  the  Meth- 
odist first  and  preached  for  them; 
went  against  conscience  three  years; 
received  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  Skewarkey  1795  and  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Martin  Ross;  ordained 
1796;  took  the  pastoral  care  ofi  Flat 
Swamp  Church,  and  during  the  years 
1802  and  1803  baptized  for  that 
church  over  one  hundred  persons,  was 
chosen  clerk  of  the  Kehukee  Associa- 
tion in  1806,  and  wrote  the  Kehukee 
History  from  1803  to  1833.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  influence,  a  gifted 
preacher,  and  for  forty-eight  years  a 
zealous  and  faithful  laborer  in  the 
Master's  vineyard.  He  departed  this 
life  in  the  full  triumph  of  faith  in 
1844  in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his 
age. 


R.    A.    BIGGS. 

Biggs,  Elder  R.  A.,  of  Santa  Anna, 
Texas,  was  born  in  Rush  County, 
Texas,  June  2,  1849.  His  father,  B.  F. 
Biggs,  was  a  native  of  Tennessee; 
grandfather,  Asa  Biggs,  was  a  native 
of  North  Carolina,  and  an  Old  Bap- 
tist minister.  He  grew  up  during  the 
civil  war,  without  scarcely  any  edu- 
cational   advantages.    At    the    age    of 


36 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


eighteen  he  was  convicted  of  sin,  and 
realized  his  lost  condition  and  for  two 
years  was  under  the  burden  of  guilt 
and  condemnation.  During  this  time 
he  tried  in  many  ways  to  keep  the  law 
and  get  relief,  but  in  vain.  But  God 
never  brings  one  in  this  condition 
without  also  taking  him  from,  it,  and 
so  his  feet  were  taken  from  the  mire 
of  sin,  his  goings  established,  a  new 
song  put  in  his  mouth  even  praises  to 
God.  Jesus  was  revealed  to  him  as 
his  sin  bearer  and  he  united  with  Or- 
chard Gap  Church  in  Collins  County, 
and  was  baptized  by  Eider  J.  E. 
Deatherage.  The  impression  to  preach 
which  he  received  in  his  conversion 
and  before  he  joined  the  church,  was 
kept  hid  as  much  as  possible,  but  his 
gift  was  discovered  and  he  was  or- 
dained January,  1S80,  by  Elders  W.  F. 
Harris  and  F.  Loder.  He  was  soon  call- 
ed to  the  care  of  four  churches  and 
served  this  number  almost  continual- 
ly until  about  1896,  when  his  health 
became  so  poor  that  he  gave  up  the 
care  of  all  except  his  home  church. 
This,  he  serves  still,  and  travels 
among  other  churches  when  able. 
December,  1908,  he  writes:  "By  the 
grace  of  God  I  continue  until  this  day. 
I  have  never  seen  any  use  of  depart- 
ing from  the  'Old  Paths'  or  of  remov- 
ing the  'stakes  our  fathers  have  set.' 
So  have  felt  content  to  be  a  plain  Old 
Baptist.  I  aspire  to  nothing  higher.  I 
want  to  live  with  and  die  in  their 
sweet  fellowship,  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all." 


G.    B.    BIRD. 

Bird,  Elder  G.  B.,  was  born  in  Lin- 
coln County,  Wv  Va.,  February  7,  1882. 
United  with  the  Old  School  Baptist 
Church  called  Providence  of  the  Pae- 
atalico  Association,  June,  1900,  and 
was  baptized  the  same  day  by  Elder 
J.  H.  Terry,  was  licensed  to  preach 
in  June,  1901,  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
years,  and  was  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry  May,  1907. 
Elder  Bird  is  now  (1908),  clerk  of 
Providence  Church,  has  the  care  of 
one  church,  and  is  also  clerk  of  Pac- 
atalico  Association. 


JOHN     BLACKSTONE. 

Blackstone,  Elder  John,  of  Georgia, 
was  born  in  Virginia  in  1780,  on  what 
is  called  "Old  Christmas  Day."  After 
growing  up  he  went  to  St.  Augustine,  | 


Fla.,  and  afterwards  to  Brunswick, 
Ga.,  and  for  a  time  was  in  the  mili- 
tary service  at  St.  Mary's.  The  next 
account  we  have  of  him  he  was  in 
Augusta,  Ga.,  where  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  and  married  Miss  Cath- 
erine Harvey,  about  the  year  1799.  At 
what  time  he  was  received  into  the 
church  among  the  Baptists  I  do  not 
know,  but  soon  after  he  joined  the 
church,  his  mind  became  much 
weighted  with  preaching  the  gospel. 
But  such  was  his  feeling  sense  of  un- 
worthiness  and  entire  unfitness  for 
such  a  sacred  calling,  that  he  shrank 
from  it  and  even  said  he  could  not, 
and  would  not  do  it.  Thinking  to  get 
rid  of  such  impressians  of  mind,  he 
took  his  little  family  and  moved  firom 
Georgia  to  East  Tennessee,  but  much 
to  his  distress  and  surprise,  the  im- 
pression increased  upon  him,  even 
while  he  was  vainly  striving  to  sup- 
press and  keep  it  hid  from  his  breth- 
ren and  most  intimate  friends.  But  aft- 
er struggling  along  in  this  state  of  re- 
bellion for  about  three  years  it  pleas- 
ed God  to  sorely  afflict  him  till  he 
was  reduced  to  a  mere  skeleton,  and 
physicians,  family  and  friends  all 
gave  him  up  to  die.  And  such  were 
the  trying  scenes  through  which  he 
passed  that  some  things  would  seem 
so  incredible  he  has  often  been  heard 
to  say  that  he  did  not  like  to  talk 
about  them  to  others,  lest  they  should 
think  it  mere  visionary,  or  as  an  idle 
tale,  and  thereby  shake  their  confi- 
dence in  his  veracity.  And  when  he 
was  brought  to  the  point  to  feel  that 
he  must  preach  or  die,  he  took  his 
family  and  returned  to  Columbia 
County  Ga.,  and  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry  by  his  home 
church  about  the  year  1808.  From 
about  this  time  to  1821  his  time  ap- 
pears to  have  been  mostly  employed 
in  preaching  in  the  counties  of  Co- 
lumbia, Jefferson,  Warren  and  Burke, 
in  Georgia.  In  1822  he  moved  to 
Crawford  County.  Ga.,  and  was  soon 
chosen  as  one  of  a  committee  to  or- 
ganize the  county  and  locate  the 
county  site  at  Knoxville,  which  was 
named  by  him.  His  good  sense,  quick 
perception,  honesty  and  integrity 
soon  won  for  him  the  confidence  and 
esteem  of  all  who  knew  him  and 
placed  him  in  the  front  rank  as  a  rep- 
resentative man  of  his  county.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  first  Inferior  Court 
organized  in  Crawford  Countv,  and  at 
the  first  election  ever  held  in  the 
county  for  Representatives  to  the 
General  Assembly,  he  was  chosen  by 
the  people  as  their  Senator,  and  so 
well   and    faithfully    did   he    represent 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


37 


the  interests  of  his  constituents,  and 
discharge  the  duties  of  the  responsi- 
ble  trust   committed  to  him,   that  he 
was  re-elected  annually  for  nine  suc- 
cessive years.  But  while  Elder  Black- 
stone   was  faithful  to  the   best  inter- 
ests  of  his    State   and   county   in   the 
legislative   department,   he   was   faith- 
ful also  to  his  obligations  and  duties 
as  a  gospel  minister.   He   assisted   in 
organizing    several      churches,    towit: 
Mt.   Paran,   Salem,  Mt.  Carmel,   Prov- 
idence,   Abilene,    Union    and    Old    Mt. 
Pisgah,   and  also  assisted  in   organiz- 
ing  the   Echeconnee  Association.   But 
of  the  many  striking  incidents  in  the 
life   of   this    remarkable   man,    to   the 
honor  of  his  memory  let  it  be  written, 
that    of   all   the   Baptist   ministers    of 
his  day,  he  was  one  of  the  very  first 
to  discover  the   corruption  introduced 
in  Baptist  churches  and  Associations 
by  "vain  philosophy  and  the  cunning- 
craftiness   of   men"    as   manifested   in 
the  "Modern  'Missionary  Institutions," 
which  he  regarded  as  being  after  the 
rudiments  of  the  world,  and  not  after- 
Christ.— Col.,      ii.,      8.    As      a    faithful 
watchman,  he  sounded  the  alarm,  and 
told  the  churches  what  would  be  the 
result.  He  boldly  met  and  showed  the 
corrupt  tendency  of  the  Modern  Mis- 
sionary   Institutions    and    Inventions, 
and    denounced   them   as   unscriptural 
innovations  which  would  corrupt  and 
divide  the  Baptist  denomination. 


ALFRED  BLALOCK. 

Blalock,  Elder  Alfred.  This  faithful 
soldier  of  the  Cross  was  born  Octo- 
ber 30,  1831;  united  with  Camp  Creek 
Church,  August.  1853,  orda'ned  to  the 
full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  De- 
cember 13,  1873,  by  Elders  A.  A.  Hall 
and  D.  R.  Moore,  and  was  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  September  5,  1907,  pas- 
tor of  Camp  Creek,  Flat  River  and 
Stories'  Creek  churches,  and  Moder- 
ator of  the  Lower  Country  Line  As- 
sociation. Below  is  a  resolution,  in 
part,  passed  by  his  home  church 
which  shows  the  high  regard  in  which 
he  was  held:  "We  the  church  at  Camp 
Creek,  Durham  County,  N.  C,  assem- 
bled in  conference,  this  12th  day  of 
October,  1907,  do  hereby  express  our 
grief,  and  fully  realize  what  a  loss 
we  have  sustained  in  the  death  of  our 
beloved  brother  and  pastor,  Elder  Al- 
bert Blalock.  Therefore,  be  it  resolv- 
ed, That  as  a  token  of  friendship  and 
brotherly  love,  which  we  hope  is 
everlasting  and  stronger  than  death 
we  erect  a  slab  or  monument  to  his 


grave,  suitable  to  the  wishes  of  his 
family,  and  that  our  treasurer  be  in- 
structed to  pay  for  same  out  of  the 
funds  belonging  to  the  church." 


ISAAC     BLAKELY. 

Blakely,  Elder  Isaac  (1814-1887),  of 
Iowa,  was  born  in  McMinn  County, 
East  Tennessee,  and  united  with 
Brush  Creek  Church,  Jefferson  Coun- 
ty, Iowa,  in  the  year  1844.  He  was  or- 
dained in  Goshen  Church,  Putnam 
County,  Mo.,  about  the  year  1851, 
but  was  living  in  Iowa,  His  member- 
ship, at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  in 
Fox  River  Church,  of  which  he  was 
pastor  for  over  thirty  years.  He  was 
a  pioneer  preacher  for  over  forty 
years,  and  uncompromising  in  doc- 
trine and  practice,  and  stood  high  in 
the  esteem  of  his  brethren  and  all 
men.  He  served  one  term  as  repre- 
sentative of  his  county  in  the  Iowa 
legislature.  He  died  in  his  seventy- 
third  year,  after  a  liSe  of  useful,  faith- 
ful service. 


C.   C.    BLAND. 

Bland,  Elder  C.  C,  of  Ayden,  N.  C. 
This  zealous  minister  of  Jesus  was 
born  in  North  Carolina  July  17,  1846, 
raised  by  godly  parents  who  taught 
him  morality;  convicted  of  sin  early 
in  life  and  after  much  exercise  of 
mind  as  to  his  sinful  condition,  was 
given  a  hope  in  the  Saviour;  united 
with     Handcock's     Church,     in     Pitt 


38 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


County,  N.  C,  in  his  seventeenth 
year,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Noah 
Adams.  He  remained  out  of  the 
churcb  some  years  after  he  had  a  hope 
in  the  Saviour  and  a  love  for  the 
church,  because  he  felt  to  be  too 
young,  and  so  in  regard  to  the  subject 


C.    C.    BLAND 

of  preaching  he  felt  he  must  speak  in 
His  name,  yet  felt  too  young  and  in 
every  way  unqualified.  In  1864  he 
joined  the  Southern  army  and  in  all 
the  dangers  of  war  and  hardships  of 
prison  life,  the  impression  remained 
with  him  that  he  must  preach  Jesus, 
and  some  years  later  he  was  ordained 
and  has  since  been  witnessing  for  the 
Master,  and  desires  to  press  onward 
and  finish  his  course  with  joy. 


JOHN    T.    BLANCHARD. 

Blanchard,  Elder  John  T.,  of  Den- 
nis, Miss.,  was  born  in  Duplin  County, 
N.    C.,    July    31,    1844,    but    principally 


raised  in  Mississippi;  was  brought 
up  under  the  Methodist  discipline  and 
taught  that  his  soul's  salvation  was 
dependant  upon  adhering  to  the 
wooings  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  He  went 
through  the  civil  war,  was  severely 
wounded,  and  attributes  his  preser- 
vation to  the  mercies  of  God.  After 
the  Avar  he  married  Miss  Mattie  Ward 
whose  mother  was  a  member  of  the 
Old  Baptist  Church,  and  through  her 
he  heard  his  first  gospel  sermon  from 
the  text,  "Am  I  therefore  become 
your  enemy  because  I  tell  you  the 
truth?"  But  he  was  at  that  time  too 
stubborn  to  own  the  truth.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-seven  he  was  convicted  of 
sin  and  then  for  three  years  tried  the 
effort  system  to  its  terminus  and 
found  it  had  no  balm1  for  a  poor  sin- 
ner but  when  he  had  concluded  to  ask 
the  Lord  one  time  more  to  have 
mercy  and  started  to  the  grove  to 
pray,  God  spoke  peace  to  his  soul  in 
the  comforting  words,  "My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  thee."  This  was  his  first 
knowledge  of  salvation  by  grace.  He 
then  began  to  go  to  hear  the  Old 
Baptists  preach  and  found  them  the 
only  people  who  preached  his  exper- 
ience and  what  he  read  in  the  Bible, 
and  he  united  with  them  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  J.  D.  Hudleston  in 
1872.  The  next  day  he  received  im- 
pression to  preach  but  fought  against 
it  for  two  years.  He  began  preaching 
in  May,  1874,  and  has  since  had  the 
care  of  churches  and  has  traveled  and 
preached  in  Mississippi,  Arkansas, 
Texas,  Alabama,  Illinois,  Indian  Ter- 
ritory and  Tennessee.  He  has  baptized 
about  one  thousand  persons;  has 
served  eleven  years  of  his  lifie  in 
civil  office  from  justice  of  the  peace 
to  representative,  and  is  now  serving 
as  postmaster  at  Dennis,  Miss.,  and 
has  not  for  twenty-one  years  touched 
a  drop  of  intoxicating  liquors.  He  has 
the  pastoral  care  of  three  churches 
and  the  Lord  is  blessing  his  labors. 
He  desires  to  know  nothing  in  his 
preaching  but  Jesus  and  Him  cruci- 
fied. 


J.    M.   BLANSETT. 

Blansett,  Elder  J.  M.,  of  Virginia, 
was  born  in  Patrick  County,  Va., 
March  19,  1834,  at  the  foot  of  the 
Blue  Ridge  mountains,  about  six 
miles  above  Stuart,  and  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  was  about 
twenty-one  years  of  age — laboring  on 
the  farm,  and  having  but  a  limited 
chance  for  an  education,  only  attend- 
ing school     about  three     months.   He 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


39 


professed  faith  in  Christ  in  the  year 
1856.  In  the  year  1857  he  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  State 
Line,  which  belongs  to  the  Mayo  As- 
sociation; was  licensed  by  the  church 
to    preach    in    1866,    and    ordained    in 


J.    M.    BLANSETT 

1867.  Soon  after  this  he  was  called  to 
the  care  of  several  churches,  and  for 
twenty  years  has  faithfully  served 
them  continually  every  month.  For 
many  years  he  has  served  as  Moder- 
ator  of  the  Smith   River  Association. 


JAMES    ELLIS    BLANTON. 

Blanton,  Elder  James  Ellis,  -was 
born  October  9,  1844,  in  Brooks  Coun- 
ty, Ga.,  moved  to  Tennessee  with  his 
parents  when  a  small  boy,  was  raised 
on  a  farm,  received  a  common  school 
education,  entered  the  Confederate 
army  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war;  was  mar- 
ried in  1866;  joined  the  church  1873 
and  was  ordained  January,  1888.  He 
has  served  one  to  four  churches  con- 
tinuously since  ordination;  is  clerk 
of  San  Pedro  Association  and  was  for 
years  associate  editor  of  the  Advo- 
cate of  Truth.  Elder  Blanton  also 
served  four  terms  in  the  State  legis- 
lature of  his  native  state  and  is  a 
highly  respected  and  honored  citizen, 
and  a  useful  and  faithful  servant  of  the 
church. 


JAS.    H.    BLYTHE. 

Blythe,  Elder  Jas.  H.,  of  Orlando, 
Ark.,  was  born  in  Fulton  County, 
Miss.,  August  9,  1856.  His  mother  was 
a  Methodist  for  twenty-five  years,  and 


she  and  his  father  joined  the  Baptists 
in  their  old  age, — his  Bather  being 
seventy  years  old.  Elder  Blythe  was 
thirteen  years  old  before  he  heard  a 
Baptist  sermon,  but  was  impressed 
from  his  seventh  year  of  age  that  he 
would  some  day  have  to  preach.  This 
caused  him  much  sorrow.  He  tried  to 
be  good  while  growing  to  manhood, 
tried  to  get  religion  but  could  not  suc- 
ceed, made  promises  only  to  break 
them.  But  in  his  twenty-first  year  he 
was  unexpectedly  and  deeply  con- 
victed of  sin  without  free-will  preach- 
ing or  mourners'  bench  effort.  The 
pangs  of  hell  got  hold  of  him.  He  felt 
to  be  the  chief  of  sinners  and  worthy 
of  eternal  banishment,  cursed  the  day 
he  was  born  and  wished  he  had  died 
when  young.  His  conscience  and  the 
Bible  condemned  him  and  he  was 
made  to  realize  his  "lost  condition." 
But  God  delivered  him  out  of  all 
this,  revealed  Jesus  as  the  sinner's 
Saviour,  and  gave  him  a  hope  in  Him. 
Many  Scriptures  were  impressed  on 
his  mind  teaching  him  the  sovereign- 
ty of  God  and  his  duty  as  a  believer 
in  His  salvation.  He  was  led  to  the 
church,  told  them  what  great  things 
Jesus  had  done  for  him,  was  received, 
baptized,  and  after  many  years  of  dis- 
obedience went  forward  in  duty  and 
was  ordained  in  1892  by  Elders  C. 
W.  Anderson,  C.  W.  Kirk  and  H.  Sisk, 
and  has  since  had  the  care  of  four 
churches  almost  continually.  He  is 
strong  in  the  faith  of  salvation  alone 
by  the  merits  of  Jesus  and  desires  to 
be  found  contending  for  this  old  time 
honored  doctrine  that  shall  stand 
when  the  world  crumbles. 


R.    H.    BOAZ. 

Boaz,  Elder  R.  H.,  of  Fulton,  Ky., 
This  faithful  soldier  of  Jesus  serves 
churches  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Bethel  Association  of  Regular  Old 
School  Baptists  and  is  also  Modera- 
tor of  this  association.  Information 
for  a  more  suitable  notice  could  not 
be   obtained. 


L.  I.   BODENHEIMER. 

Bodenheimer,  Elder  (Dr.)  L.  I.,  of 
North  Carolina,  was  one  of  the  most 
unique  characters  in  Central  North 
Carolina.  Nature  had  marked  him 
well  as  belonging  to  the  Old  School 
and  he  would  be  singled  out  in  any 
crowd  as  a  man  of  extraordinary 
parts.  He  was  both  a  minister  and  a 


40 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


physician,  which  brought  him  in  con- 
tact with  people  in  all  the  walks  of 
life  and  he  always  made  a  strong  im- 
pression on  all  by  his  marked  individ- 
uality and  wonderful  resources  of 
humor  and  narrative.  Dr.  Bodenhei- 
mer  was  born  April  6,  1831,  about  six 
miles  east  of  Salem  and  was  reared 
on  a  farm.  He  went  to  school  in  his 
boyhood  days  only  three  months.   He 


L.   I.    BODENHEIMER 

was  married  in  High  Point  by  Elder 
Wm.  Burns  August  5,  1S58,  where  he 
and  his  family  lived  until  1867,  ex- 
cept at  intervals  when  he  was  preach- 
ing in  remote  neighborhoods.  He  es- 
tablished Zion's  Landmark  (a  leading 
paper  of  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church)  at  Salem  and  afterwards  pub- 
lished it  at  High  Point.  When  he  re- 
turned to  High  Point  a  few  years  ago 
he  published  another  paper,  The 
Naked  Truth,  but  was  unable  to  give 
his  time  to  the  business  as  it  required, 
so  discontinued  the  paper  and  devoted 
his  time  to  the  practice  of  medicine 
and  preaching  as  long  as  he  was 
strong  enough.  He  was  a  minister  for 
fifty  years  and  a  physician  for  thirty- 
five  years,  pursuing  both  with  remark- 
able energy.  Elder  Bodenheimer  pub- 
lished an  interesting  account  of  his  ex- 
perience and  call  to  the  ministry.  He 
was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  able 
ministers  of  his  day,  and  many  of  his 
sermons  were  published  in  the  Land- 
mark, Naked  Truth,  and  other  papers. 
He  died  at  a  ripe  old  age,  strong  in 
the  faith  he  had  so  earnestly  contend- 
ed for  in  life. 


STEPHEN  BOLANDER. 

Bolander,  Elder  Stephen,  of  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Felicity,  Clermont  County, 
Ohio,   and   united   with    the   Primitive 


Baptist  Church,  October  20,  1856. 
He  was  ordained  to  the  minis- 
try February  15,  1873,  and  was  held 
in  high  esteem  among  the  churches 
for  his  wise  counsel,  but  the  editor 
could  not  secure  data  for  a  full  sketch 
of  his  life  and  labors. 


^% 


AMBROSE    C.    BOOTON. 

Booton,  Elder  Ambrose  C,  of  Virgin- 
ia. This  eminent  servant  of!  God 
was  born  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley, 
January  26,  1789,  and  died  at  his 
home  in  Page  County,  March  29,  1865, 
in  his  seventy-fifth  year.  He  was  in 
early  life  convicted  of  sin,  given  a 
hope  in  the  Saviour  and  united  with 
the  Baptists  in  his  sixteenth  year  and 
began  preaching  in  his  eighteenth 
year.  January  1,  1814  he  was  ordained 
to  all  the  functions  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry and  for  more  than  half  a  centu- 
ry he  was  numbered  among  the  ablest 
ministers  of  his  day.  He  was,  by  pro- 
fession, a  school  teacher  much  of  his 
life  and  was  noted  for  his  strong 
mind  and  retentive  memory.  During 
many  years  prior  to  the  division  in 
the  Baptist  Church  about  1832,  when 
Arminian  doctrines  were  being  advo- 
cated and  new  practices  being  intro- 
duced Elder  Booton  firmly  opposed 
them,  and  at  the  time  of  the  separa- 
tion stood  firm  with  the  Primitive 
party  who  began  to  be  called,  and  still 
are  known,  as  the  Old  School  Bap- 
tists. He  lived  and  died  in  the  faith 
of  his  fathers,  and  contended  all 
through  his  long  ministry,  that  the 
New  Testament  furnished  God's  peo- 
ple with  all  needful  doctrine  and  prac- 
tice. And  his  preaching  was  not  only 
logical  but  also  experimental,  and  he 
never   failed   to   touch   the   feeling   of 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


41 


his  auditors  if  they  were  acquainted 
with  experimental  religion.  Personal- 
ly, Elder  Booton  had  few,  if  any,  ene- 
mies, but  had  to  meet  and  contend 
with  many  enemies  of  the  doctrine  he 
preached.  And  though  he  contended 
earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered 
to  the  saints,  yet  he  was  of  an  amia- 
ble disposition  and  desired  to  speak 
the  truth  in  love.  He  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  preachers  of  the  Shenandoah 
Valley  and  served  many  cnurches  in 
the  western  part  of  the  state  during 
his  ministry.  Blessed  with  a  strong 
mind,  a  sound  body,  retentive  memo- 
ry, and  a  heart  full  of  love  for  the 
cause  of  Christ,  his  labors  were  nu- 
merous, his  devotion  unselfish,  his 
life  an  influential  and  useful  one.  He 
died  in  the  full  triumph  of  faith  at  a 
ripe   old   age. 


JOHN     K.    BOOTON. 

Booton,  Elder  John  K.,  son  of  Am- 
brose C.  Booton,  was  born  in  Page 
County,  Va.,  on  August  19,  1823.  His 
boyhood  days  were  spent  on  the  Long 
Meadow  Farm,  on  Mill  Creek.  His  ed- 
ucation was  received  under  the  noted 
teacher,  philosopher  and  poet,  Joseph 
Salyards,  at  New  Market.  At  an  early 
age  he  displayed  ability  as  a  speaker,  I 
having  made  a  political  address  at 
the  age  of  eighteen,  which  met  with 
much  commendation.  The  period  of  i 
agitation  that  ushered  in  the  Civil  war  j 
found  him  a  Colonel  of  militia,  a 
prominent  leader  in  the  movement  for 
secession,  and  an  orator  of  great  in- 
fluence. He  was  the  organizer  of  the 
Dixie  Artillery,  of  which  he  was  cap- 
tain until  his  election  to  the  Confed- 
erate Legislature.  His  position  and  his 
fearless     declarations     of   his   convic- 


tions made  him  especially  obnoxious 
to  the  Union  forces,  and  the  fact  that 
he  was  a  lame  man,  with  many  dis- 
tinguishing characteristics  made  him 
exceptionally  liable  to  detection;  but 
although  he  was  forced  to  endure 
many  hardships,  he  succeeded  in 
evading  every  party  detailed  to  cap- 
ture him  and  came  through  the  war 
unscarred.  The  Heavenly  Father  had 
willed  it,  however,  that  his  talents 
and  intellect  should  be  devoted,  in 
the  maturer  years  of  his  life,  neither 
to  a  military  nor  a  political  career, 
but  that  they  should,  with  all  his 
earthly  passions,  be  laid  upon  the 
Master's  altar.  In  1850  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Emily  Heiskell,  daughter  ot 
Elder  William  C.  Lauck.  Thus  the 
son  of  one  mighty  father  in  Israel  had 
become  the  son-in-law  of  one  no  less 
mighty;  and  he  in  his  turn  was  or- 
dained an  elder  of  the  Old  School 
Baptist  Church  in  1870.  From  this 
time  to  the  end  of  his  days,  he  devot- 
ed the  most  of  his  time  to  this  work 
and  entered  into  its  duties  with  his 
whole  heart  and  soul  regardless  of 
worldly  emolument  or  any  consider- 
ation other  than  what  he  deemed  to 
be  his  duty.  His  was  one  of  those 
cases  where  the  ministry  demanded 
a  heavy  sacrifice  of  worldly  goods  and 
ambitions,  but  he  was  never  known  to 
complain.  During  his  ministry  he  con- 
stituted three  churches:  Alma,  in 
Page  County,  Cedar  Creek,  in  Fred- 
erick County,  and  Bentonville,  in 
Wjarren  County,  Virginia.  Like  his 
father  and  father-in-law,  he  was  not 
only  strong  in  the  doctrine  of  his 
church,  but  was  appreciated  as  a 
warm  experimental  preacher,  touch- 
ing the  hearts  of  his  hearers.  He  was 
uncompromising  in  what  he  believed 
to  be  the  truth,  often  having  to  com- 
bat with  those  whom  he  would  have 
liked  to  esteem  as  brothers.  His  long- 
est ministerial  service  was  at  Battle 
Run,  Rappahannock  County,  Va., 
where  he  served  as  pastor  thirty 
years.  Besides  these  four  named 
churches  he  also  served  as  pastor  of 
Big  Spring,  Thumb  Run,  Barrows  Run 
and  Ground  Vine  churches.  Elder  Boo- 
ton was  an  authority  on  all  questions, 
relating  to  the  history  and  doctrines 
of  his  church.  His  knowledge  of!  these 
questions,  so  far  as  the  Virginia  Old 
School  Baptists  are  concerned,  was 
unequalled.  The  results  of  his  studies 
were  embodied  in  his  valuable  book, 
"The  Footsteps  of  the  Flock,"  pub- 
lished a  little  over  a  year  before  his 
death,  and  full  of  useful  information. 
After  thirty-three  years  of  toil  in  the 
Master's  vineyard,  on  the  19th  day  of 


42 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


December,  1903,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
years  and  four  months,  having  be- 
stowed his  last  blessing  on  his  loved 
ones,  the  venerable  minister  of  the 
gospel  fell  into  a  quiet,  tranquil  and 
painless  sleep.  It  was  his  oft-express- 
ed desire  that  his  last  days  should  be 
his  best,  and  it  was  his  testimony  that 
this  desire  was  granted.  Just  a  few 
months  before  his  death,  he  made  a 
trip  to  North  and  South  Carolina, 
meeting  his  brethren  in  the  faith  and, 
most  of  the  time,  preaching  twice  a 
day  to  loving  and  leverent  audiences. 
On  his  return,  he  dwelt  with  joy  upon 
this,  the  last  and  most  delightful  la- 
bor of  his  long  ministry.  The  weight 
of  long  years  and  great  labors  seem- 
ed to  have  worn  him  out  and  merci- 
fully brought  about  a  painless  end  af- 
ter only  a  few  weeks'  illness.  No  man 
was  more  tender-hearted  and  gener- 
ous to  those  whom  he  loved.  He  had 
the  courtesy  and  deference  to  others, 
the  hospitality,  the  wide  information 
the  serene  spirit  rising  above  the 
petty  and  selfish  things  of  life,  Which 
we  associate  with  our  ideal  of  the 
gentleman  of  the  old  school — qualities 
which  in  him  were  heightened  and 
beautified  by  a  true  and  humble  piety. 


G.    W.    BOSWELL. 

Boswell,  Elder  G.  W.,  of  Wilson,  N. 
C.  This  devoted  and  zealous  minister 
is  the  oldest  of  nine  children  of  Bun- 
yan  and  Tempy  Boswell,  and  was 
born  in  Wilson  County,  August  28, 
1867;  convicted  of  sin  about  the  year 
1878;  given  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus,  the 
following  year;  impressed  with  a  de- 
sire to  unite  with  the  church  but  for 
two  years  delayed  to  do  so  feeling  his 
unworthiness,    but   was   made   willing, 


joined  Contentnea  Church  and  was- 
baptized  by  Elder  Wm.  Woodard  Oc- 
tober, 1890.  He  was  soon  impressed 
with  the  duty  of1  preaching  and  on 
this  subject  writes:  "I  prayed  the 
Lord  to  relieve  me  of  that  burden. 
The  more  I  prayed  for  relief  the 
heavier  the  burden  grew.  I  had  no  ed- 
ucation and  poor  understanding  about 
anything.  So  here  I  agreed  to  die  rath- 
er than  attempt  to  preach,  and,  breth- 
ren. I  did  die  to  this  world  and  its 
frowns  and  was  made  willing  to  be 
God's  anything.  By  the  mercies  of 
God  I  continue  to  this  day.  I  hope  all 
of  God's  humble  children  that  read 
this  will  pray  that  God  may  keep  me 
by  His  power  until  He  calls  me 
home."  He  was  ordained  in  1898 
by  Elders  Wm.  Woodard  and 
J.  F.  Farmer  at  Scott's  Church,  which 
church  had  almost  gone  down — there 
being  but  two  male  members  and  a 
few  sisters  that  were  very  old.  He 
was  called  as  pastor  and  there  is  now 
a  membership  of  about  seventy-five. 
He  was  also  called  to  the  care  of 
Contentnea,  Upper-Black-Creek,  and 
Healthy  Plains;  also  serves  other 
churches  quarterly.  Though  young  in 
the  ministry  he  has  baptized — up  to 
November.  1908, — 212  persons,  preach- 
ed 118  funerals,  married  41  couples, 
and  assisted  in  the  ordination  of  sev- 
eral deacons  and  one  minister.  Elder 
Boswell  was  never  married  but  lives 
with  his  parents  and  works  upon  the 
farm  when  not  engaged  in  ministerial 
duties;  is  satisfied  with  the  doctrine 
and  practice  of  the  apostolic  church 
and  wishes  to  stand  in  the  old  paths. 


THEODORIA    BOUlWARE. 

Boulware,  Elder  Theodoria,  was  born 
in  Virginia  in  the  early  years  of  the 
eighteenth  century,  moved  to  Ken- 
tucky when  young;  was  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  in  this  state 
and  was  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers 
of  his  day.  About  1827  he  moved  to 
Missouri  and  was  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Fulton,  Mo.,  nearly  fifty  years.  He 
taught  school  about  forty  years  of  his 
life  and  was  a  successful  educator. 
Though  he  has  been  dead  many  years, 
his  fame  as  a  gifted,  faithful  preacher 
of  the  Old  School  Baptists  still  lives, 
and  it  can  be  well  said  of  him,  "being 
dead  he  yet  speaketh." 


B.    E.    BOURLAND. 

Bourland,  Elder  B.  E.  This  faithful 
and  worthy  brother  is  a  native  of  Mis- 
sissippi and  now  lives  at   Satillo.   He 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


43 


was  convicted  of  sin  when  but  a  youth 
yet  remained  out  of  the  church  sev- 
eral years  awaiting  more  evidence  of 
his  sonship.  Soon  after  he  united  with 
the  church  he  was  chosen  clerk  and 
a  few  years  later  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  He  is  now  the 
beloved  pastor  of  several  churches 
and  Moderator  of  the  Tombigby  As- 
sociation. 


W.  A.   BOWDEN. 

Bowden,  Elder  W.  A.,  of  Georgia, 
was  born  in  Randolph  County,  N.  O, 
January  26,  1811.  His  grandfather  was 
a  minister  of  the  Old  School  Presby- 
terian order,  and  his  mother's  family 
was  of  the  Methodist  faith.  He  was 
early  taught  to  believe  that  there  was 
a  God  who  took  cognizance  of  all  he 
did  or  said;  and  that  his  eternal  hap- 
piness depended  upon  the  way  he 
spent  his  life  here.  When  about  six- 
teen years  old,  he  attended  an  old- 
fashioned  Methodist  camp-meeting, 
and  while  there  became  alarmed;  see- 
ing so  many  of  his  comrades  seeming- 
ly concerned  about  their  soul's  salva- 
tion, and  hearing  so  much  preached 
about  hell  and  the  torments  of  the 
damned,  became  scared,  and  con- 
cluded that  he,  too,  would  get  re- 
ligion;— and  set  in  with  the  determin- 
ed resolution  to  quit  his  sinful  habits, 
turned  to  reading  the  Bible,  had  his 
secret  place  to  pray,  and  verily  believ- 
ed that  he  could,  and  would,  get  good 
enough  for  the  Lord  to  love  and  save 
him.  But  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  re- 
veal His  truth  to  him  and  show  him 
the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin.  A 
feeling  of  gloom  and  horror  seized  his 
soul.  He  viewed  himself  a  poor,  lost, 
condemned  sinner  before  a  just  and 
holy  God,  against  whom  he  had  sin- 
ned so  long  and  so  much.  Jesus  was 
revealed  to  him  as  his  Saviour.  He 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church,  July,  1835,  and  was  licensed 
the  same  year;  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry  March,  1837, 
and  served  churches  as  pastor  forty- 
flour  successive  years,  was  clerk  of 
Bethel  Association  thirty-four  years, 
and  its  first  Moderator  in  her  organ- 
ization. 


of  that  church,  but  at  about  the  age 
of  twelve  years  was  "sprinkled"  by  an 
Episcopal  Minister, — the  subject  not 
realizing  in  any  degree  the  true  or  in- 


WILLIAM   L.  BOWIE. 

Bowie  , Elder  William  L.  No.  837 
Shepherd  street,  N.  W.,  Washington, 
D.  C,  was  born  in  Wilmington,  N.  C, 
December  7,  1879,  of  Presbyterian 
parentage,  and  reared  under  the  wing 


WILLIAM   L.   BOWIE 

tended  meaning  of  the  work  perform- 
ed at  that  time.  Having  been  taught 
to  lead  a  moral  life,  and  to  go  to  Sun- 
day school  and  church  as  a  moral 
duty,  he  took  a  great  pride  in  being 
better  than  other  boys  in  the  per- 
formance of  those  things.  Having 
these  ideals  -established,  he  strove 
to  live  up  to  them,  in  order  to 
be  honored  by  his  family  and  elders, 
and  to  merit  the  favor  of  God  as  he 
thought.  At  first  he  thought  that  his 
life  was  pleasing  to  God,  but  then 
day  by  day,  he  began  to  realize  that 
he  could  not  live  a  day  without  sin- 
ning. The  load  of  sin,  in  the  constant 
struggle  to  live  perfect  before  God, 
began  to  get  heavier  as  the  days  and 
years  went  by,  when  in  his  eighteenth 
year,  it  became  unbearable  longer.  It 
was  on  a  public  street  in  Washington 
on  a  starry  night  in  August,  1897, 
when  his  soul  was  crying  out  for 
mercy,  that  the  burden  of  sin  seemed 
to  be  lifted  from  his  soul.  That  mo- 
ment he  will  never  forget.  He  then 
however,  went  on  endeavoring  to  find 
a  home.  He  had  never  known  an  Old 
Baptis/,.  He  finally  united  with  the 
Episcopal  Church  in  Washington,  D. 
C,  became  a  "candidate  for  the  min- 
istry," lay-reader,  and  Sunday  school 
superintendent.  And  he  has  a  sympa- 
thetic feeling  for  the  many  children  of 
God  that  he  believes  are  being  led  by 
false  teachers.  He  went  to  board 
with  a  strange  family  in  Fauquier 
County,  Va.,  in  the  summer  of  1900. 
That  family  proved  to  be  the  first  Old 
Baptists   he  had  ever  met.   He  heard 


44 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


them  for  the  first  time,  enjoyed 
their  preaching  conversation  and 
association,  and  was  made  to  feel 
they  preached  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  and  by  faith  in  Him  the  fet- 
ters of  the  law  were  broken,  hope 
sprang  up  and  he  was  enable  to  re- 
joice in  a  finished  salvation,  professed 
publicly  this  sweet  hope  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Charles  H.  Waters  into 
the  fellowship  of  the  Old  chool 
Baptist  Church  of  Washington,  D.  C, 
in  April,  1902,  and  in  October,  1903, 
he  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of 
the  gospel  ministry  by  Elders  Charles 
H.  Waters  and  J.  A.  Norton.  Since 
that  time  he  has  served  Davis  Church 
in  Carroll  County,  Md.,  and  White 
Oak  Church  in  Virginia,  and  has  labor- 
ed some  among  other  churches  of  the 
Ketocton  and  Ebenezer  Associations. 
He  is  at  present  stationed  in  Mont- 
gomery, Ala.,  being  in  the  special  ex- 
amination service  of  the  United 
States  Pension  Bureau  as  Special  Ex- 
aminer, but  his  home  is  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.  On  January  1,  1902,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Maud  Zirkle,  and 
they  have  three  children  to  gladden 
their  hearts  and  brighten  their  home. 


W.  J.  D.   BRADFORD.     . 

Bradford,  Elder  W.  J.  D.,  of  Killen, 
Texas,  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Berrian  County,  Ga., 
May  4,  1862.  His  father,  Wim.  W. 
Bradford,  was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Cold  Arbor,  June  3,  18G4,  and  nis 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Mary  C.  Peeples,  was  left  with  four 
young  children  to  care  for.  This,  with 
other  misfortunes,  reduced  her  to 
poverty   and  Elder   Bradford   was  not 


given  the  advantages  of  an  education. 
Early  in  life  he  moved  to  Texas  and 
in  his  eighteenth  year  was  convicted 
of  sin,  and  for  some  years  was  bur- 
dened with  a  feeling  sense  of  con- 
demnation. But  God  gave  him  a  hope 
in  Jesus  and  love  for  His  people  and 
about  1885  under  the  preaching  of 
Elder  T.  iS.  Dalton  who  was  visiting 
churches  in  Texas,  he  united  with  the 
church  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  J. 
B.  Downing.  He  was  in  1895  ordained 
deacon,  and  in  1903  was  ordained  to 
the  functions  of  the  gospel  ministry 
by  Elders  A.  V.  Atkins,  J.  S.  Newman, 
W.  L.  Norman,  E.  R.  Robinson  and  S. 
A.  Paine.  Elder  Bradford  has  since 
had  the  care  of  three  to  four  churches 
and  is  zealous  and  faithful  in  the 
cause.  He  writes:  "I  feel  that  the 
heaviest  load  I  have  to  carry  is  a 
feeling  sense  of  my  own  imperfec- 
tions." 


S.    H.    BRADY. 

Brady,  Elder  S.  H.,  of  North  Caro- 
lina, died  November  27,  1903,  age 
sixty-one  years,  ten  months  and  sev- 
enteen days.  He  united  with  Old 
Union  Church,  Johnston  County,  N. 
C,  November,  1868,  and  some  years 
afterward  was  ordained  to  the  minis- 
try. He  was  a  dutiful  son,  a  brave  sol- 
dier, a  good  citizen,  and  was  one  of 
the  most  humble  men,  ever  showing 
that  lamb-like  principle.  When  he  was 
reviled  he  reviled  not  again.  He  was 
a  good  neighbor,  never  failing  to  do 
any  kindness  that  he  could  and  for 
any  person.  Nothing  ever  gave  him 
greater  pleasure  than  an  opportunity 
to  help  one  of  God's  little  ones,  show- 
ing how  he  loved  to  be  at  the  feet  of 
the  brethren.  He  was  seldom  known  to 
miss  an  opportunity  of  meeting  the 
people  of  God  very  often  using  these 
words:  "One  day  in  the  house  of  my 
God  is  better  than  a  thousand."  For 
several  years  before  his  death  he  had 
been  afflicted,  but  bore  his  suffering 
patiently  and  died  as  he  had  lived — 
trusting  alone  in  Jesus  for  salvation. 


J.    W.    BRADLEY. 

Bradley,  Elder  J.  W.,  of  Goldsberry, 
Mo.  The  following  information  of  Eld- 
er Bradley  is  from  Elder  Walter 
Cash's  book  of  portraits  published 
1896,  and  is  used  for  want  of  more 
recent  information:  Elder  Bradley 
"was  born  in  Macon  County,  Mo.,  Octo^ 
ber   14,    1845,   and   united   "with   Brush 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


45 


Creek  Church,  Douglas  County,  Mo., 
May,  1880.  He  was  ordained  in  Brush 
Creek  Church,  Macon  County,  Mo., 
where  his  membership  now  is,  Decem- 


J.   W.    BRADLEY 

ber  7,  1890,  and  has  since  served  as 
pastor  of  churches,  having  charge  of 
three  at  present,  to  which  he  gives  a 
faithful  attendance." 


J.   W.    BRAGG. 

The  editor  not  being  able  to  get 
data  from  which  to  prepare  a  sketch 
of  Elder  Bragg,  quotes  the  following 
brief  notice  of  his  life  and  labors  from 
Elder  Potter's  Souvenir  Book  of  1905: 

"Bragg,  J.  W.,  of  Newmarket,  Ala. 
was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ala.,  on 
the  11th  day  of  November,  1848,  and 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
in  September,  1866,  and  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  Octo- 
ber, 1869,  and  is  now  pastor  of  four 
churches." 


GRAY  BRANNON. 

Brannon,  Elder  Gray,  was  born 
1845,  and  died  November  22,  1896.  He 
was  a  great  sufferer,  but  bore  his 
afflictions  with  great  patience  and 
resignation  to  the  will  of  Almighty 
God.  constantly  praying  that  the 
Lord's  will  be  done.  He  was  received 
and  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  called 
Timber  Ridge  ,and  was  soon  ordained 


to  the  gospel  ministry.  Elder  Brannon 
was  well  esteemed  among  men,  and 
had  a  good  report  of  them  that  are 
without;  was  a  kind  and  affectionate 
husband,  a  loving  father  and  a  wortny 
citizen. 


E.   M.   BRANSON. 

Branson,  Eider  E.  M.,  of  Zenda, 
Kan.,  was  born  October  9,  1839,  in  An- 
derson County,  Tenn.;  professed  hope 
in  Christ  in  July,  1856;  joined  the 
church  at  Hind's  Creek,  Union  Coun- 
ty, Tenn.,  in  November,  1856,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Isaac  Gentry;  com- 
menced preaching  about  1873,  and 
was  ordained  in  1874.  He  has  visited 
and  preached  in  portions  of  Tennes- 
see, Georgia,  Alabama,  Kentucky, 
Missouri,  Nebraska  and  Kansas.  This 
good  brother  writes  me  in  the  follow- 
ing language:  "I  have  at  all  times 
tried  to  keep  myself  small.  I  have 
been  a  member  of  the  church  fifty-two 
years  and  have  always  desired  to 
make  a  good  member.  I  have  never 
believed  to  join  something'  else  would 
be  of  any  benefit  to  me.  I  am  now  in 
my  sixty-ninth  year  of  age,  and  if  I 
can,  I  want  to  finish  my  course  in  this 
life,  a  plain,  old  fashioned,  Baptist.  I 
have  never  had  a  charge  against  me 
by  any  church.  I  know  it  will  not  be 
long  before  the  churches  will  be 
without  me  and  I  think  I  can  see 
clearly  that  they  can  get  along  well 
enough  witnout  me,  but  it  seems  like 
I  could  not  do  without  the  {fellowship 
of  my  brethren  and  sisters  while  I 
live  in  this  world."  Thus,  dear  read- 
er, you  can  see  in  such  an  humble 
walk  and  Godly  conversation,  the 
fruits  of  the  doctrine  of  grace  in  the 
heart. 


WM.    T.    BRANSON. 

Branson,  Elder  Wm,.  T.,  of  Reliance, 
S.  Dak.,  was  born  in  Harrison  County, 
Iowa,  June  25,  1866,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Loveland 
in  1887,  was  ordained  in  1889,  and  now 
(1908)  is  residing  at  Reliance,  S.  D. 
He  has  served  several  churches  in 
Iowa  and  Indiana;  has  assisted  in  or- 
ganizing three  churches,  has  traveled 
considerably  among  the  Baptists,  es- 
pecially in  the  West  and  is  supposed 
by  some  to  be  the  first  Old  School 
Baptist  minister  to  preach  in  South 
Dakota.  Elder  Branson  has  been  a 
very  useful  man  and  has  had  a  spe- 
cial impression  to  travel  in  the  waste 
places  to  hunt  up  and  feed  the  flock 


46 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


of  God.  He  has  gone  forth  in  this 
work  as  Phillip,  Paul  and  others  of 
God's  called  servants — being  impress- 
ed by  dreams,  visions  and  otherwise, 


WM.   T.    BRANSON 

and  has  realized  his  Master's  promise 
true  that  He  will  be  with  His  people 
alway,  even  unto  the  end.  Such  are 
God's  humble,  faithful  servants, — the 
only  Bible  'Misionaries  extant. 


FRANKLIN     P.     BRANSCOME. 

Branscome,  Elder  Franklin  P.,  son 
of  John  and  Mary  Francis  (Mayberry) 
Branscome,  of  Laurel  Fork,  Carroll 
County,  Va.,  was  born  March  14,  1SG0, 
in  the  county  of  his  present  residence. 
His  father  -was  made  a  prisoner  of 
war  at  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge, 
November,    18G3,    and    sent    to    Rock 


Island  prison,  where  he  died  of  fever. 
His  mother  was  unable  to  educate 
him  and  he  entered  school  at  the  age 
of  sixteen  years,  not  knowing  any- 
thing of  letters,  except  the  names  of 
the  characters  forming  the  Roman  al- 
phabet, and  could  not  even  spell 
words  of  one  syllable.  He  was  the  "big 
boy  in  the  little  class."  But  notwith- 
standing the  embarrassing  conditions 
he  went  to  work  in  earnest,  and  in  a 
most  thorough  manner.  In  the  way  of 
advancement  those  who  were  far  in 
advance  of  him  at  the  outset,  were 
soon  passed  by  and  left  behind;  and 
he  finally  became  their  teacher.  In  all, 
he  attended  school  only  four  sessions 
of  three  months  each.  He  had  nine 
months  vacation  each  year,  aurmg 
wh4ch  time  one  or  more  of  his  text- 
books were  with  him  continually; 
and  every  day  and  everywhere  he  was 
drawing  from  them  knowledge.  While 
his  hands  were  too  busy  to  hold  an 
open  book,  his  mind  was  working  over 
what  he  had  read  and  storing  away, 
for  future  use,  the  finished  thoughts. 
He  did  not  study  without  an  aim  in 
life,  nor  labor  to  finish  a  lesson  as  a 
slave  would  to  end  a  task;  for  he 
was  digging  after  knowledge,  just  as 
the  owner  of  a  mine  would  delve  for 
gold,  knowing  that  all  the  gold  found 
would  be  his  own.  October  5,  1881,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Orlena  E.  Mar- 
shall, daughter  of,  Deacon  Daniel  W. 
Marshall.  His  wife  who  is  a  Primi- 
tive Baptist,  and  his  nine  children, 
who  are  strictly  moral  and  honorable, 
are  all  living  and  in  good  health. 
From  November,  1881,  till  March, 
1893,  he  was  engaged  in  the  public 
schools  of  Virginia  as  teacher.  While 
teaching  he  studied  surveying  and  be- 
came the  court's  surveyor,  holding 
the  office  for  eight  years.  Beside  this 
he  did  much  work  under  orders  from 
the  United  States'  Court,  and  by  it 
was  commissioned  to  determine  and 
settle  a  number  of  difficult  contro- 
versies. He  has  held  the  office  of 
notary  public  for  twenty-four  years, 
and  other  positions  of  trust  imposed 
by  those  among  whom  he  was  born, 
raised  and  lives  .  In  1S44,  having, 
through  reigning  grace,  received  a 
good  hope  in  Christ,  he  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  at  Pan- 
ther Creek.  Just  one  year  later  he 
made  his  first  attempt  to  preach  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  our  Re- 
deemer. At  the  same  time  the  next 
year  (1886)  he  was  licensed  to  preach 
wherever  God  in  His  providence 
should  cast  his  lot;  and,  in  October, 
1887,  he  was  ordained  to  the  full  func- 
tions   of    the   gospel    ministry.    He    is 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


47 


now,  and  has  been  for  a  number  of 
years  serving  two  churches  as  pastor, 
and  in  these  and  other  churches  has 
baptized  about  one  hundred  persons. 
January,  1897,  he  founded  the  "Mes- 
senger of  Truth,"  which  he  has  since 
edited  and  published.  January,  1909, 
the  paper  entered  upon  its  thirteentn 
year.  Elder  Brascom's  paper  and 
preaching  has  done  much  toward 
building  up  and  keeping  the  churches 
in  the  unity  of  the  faith  and  in  the 
bonds  of  peace.  He  is  an  earnest  and 
zealous  abvocate  for  the  simplicity  of 
Bible  doctrine,  contending  that  it 
contains  a  precept  and  example  of  all 
that  we  should  believe,  practice  and 
teach  religiously.  Practical  godliness 
is  an  important  feature  of  his  walk 
and  teaching.  He  uses  no  jesting,  nor 
foolishness  in  the  pulpit;  and  con- 
tends that  the  spirit  of  Jesus  in  the 
preacher  will  humble  him  (the 
preacher),  and  bring  him  into  a  frame 
to  speak  serious  words  of  soberness 
and  truth.  He  is  the  assistant  clerk 
of  the  New  River  Primitive  Baptist 
Association. 


third  year  in  the  full  triumphs  of 
faith.  Data  for  a  full  sketch  of  his 
useful  life   could  not  be   obtained. 


PETER    L.    BRANSTETTER. 


Branstetter  Elder  Peter  L.  (1825- 
1890),  of  Missouri,  was  born  in  P'^e 
County,  Ky.,  February  11,  1825.  He 
joined  the  church  at  the  age  of  nine- 
teen and  was  ordained  to  the  ministry 
in  1864.  He  commenced  his  education 
after  he  was  married,  and  became  one 
of  the  foremost  defenders  of  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  church,  being  a  very 
forcible  speaker.    He  died  in  his  sixty- 


A.  B.  BREES. 
Brees,  Elder  A.  B.,  of  Spencerville, 
O.,  was  born  in  Michigan  December 
30,  1841,  convicted  cf  sin  in  early  life, 
blessed  with  a  hope  in  Jesus  and 
united  with  Fairfield  Church  in  1863, 
which  church  had  the  pastoral  ser- 
vices of  Elder  John  Fisher,  a  Holand 
dutchman  who  came  to  America  and 
first  united  with  the  New  School  Bap- 
tist Church  and  afterwards  leaving 
them  and  joining  the  Old  School  Bap- 
ists  in  New  York  state.  Elder  Breese 
was  ordained  October  8,  1869,  and 
was  soon  called  to  serve  Deerfield 
Church  but  in  a  short  time  moved  to 
the  neighborhood  of  his  present  home 
where  he  has  the  care  of  one  church. 


GEO.   A.    BRETZ. 

Bretz,  Elder  Geo.  A.,  of  Huntington, 
Ind.,  was  born  December  7,  I860,  in 
Ionia  County,  Mich..,  and  grew  up  in 
Ohio.  In  his  youth  he  had  much 
thought  about  himself,  his  sins,  and 
the  future  state.  When  seventeen 
years  of  age  he  became  acquainted  with 
th  Bible  doctrine  that  he  was  by  na- 
ture and  practice,  a  sinner.  After  near- 
ly two  years  of  consant  soul  sorrow 
he  was  given  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus, 
and  a  view  of  God's  plan  of  salvation, 
and  in  1890  united  with  the  church. 
Four  years  later  he  was  ordained  to 
the  full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry 
and  has  had  the  care  of  four  churches 
most  of  the  time  since,  besides  travel- 
ing      considerably         among       other 


48 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


churches.  Elder  Bretz  came  from  a 
Baptist  family.  His  grandmother  was 
a  Virginian,  and  one  of  his  ancestors 
was  put  in  prison  in  that  state  for 
"preaching  the  gospel  contrary  to 
law."  His  wife — a  true  companion  to 
him — united  with  the  church  when  a 
little  girl  about  eleven  years  old.  Eld- 
er Bretz  is  a  lovely  man  and  com- 
forting preacher,  and  desires  to 
know  nothing  in  his  preaching  but 
"Christ  and  Him  crucified."  He  is  a 
lover  of  peace  in  Zion  and  content 
with  the  good  old  way  and  his  labor 
has  been  unifying,  edifying  and 
strengthening  to  the  Lord's  people. 
He  has  for  many  years  been  asso- 
ciate editor  of  the  Primitive  Monitor 
and  is  a  clear  and  fluent  writer,  an 
able  preacher  and  greatly  loved  by 
the   churches   ofi  his   care. 


J.    B.   J.    BRICKEY. 

Brickey,  Elder  J.  B.  J.,  of  Georgia, 
was  born  April  16,  1845,  and  died 
January  25,  1905.  He  professed  faith 
in  Christ,  and  joined  Lhe  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  in  Tuckaleechee  Cove, 
in  1869,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Absalom  A.  Abbott,  and  came  out  ot 
the  water  preaching;  was  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel  minis- 
try October,  1871,  by  Elders  A.  A.  Ab- 
bott and  Henry  Franklin,  as  presby- 
tery, and  was  soon  called  to  the  care 
of  churches  and  preached  faithfully 
to  from  two  to  four  churches  all  his 
life.  At  the  time  of  his  conversion  the 
Tennessee  Association  seemed  to  be 
nearly  gone  down,  the  churches  few 
in  number,  and  but  few  members  in 
the  churches,  and  he  seemed  to  be 
the  right  man  in  the  right  place,  and 
at  the  right  time.  His  labors  were 
wonderfully  blessed.  The  churches 
were  soon  built  up.  New  churches 
were  organized  under  his  labors,  and 
mightily  grew  the  word  of  God.  He 
wrote  a  circular  letter  in  1870,  show- 
ing the  difference  between  the  mis- 
sionaries and  the  old  Baptists,  and 
the  old  Tennessee  Association  heart- 
ily indorsed  the  letter,  and  printed  it 
in  their  minutes  of  that  year.  Soon  af- 
ter this  the  missionaries  challenged 
him  for  a  debate,  -which  was  accepted, 
which  resulted  in  some  of  those  who 
had  been  reared  missionaries  uniting 
with  our  people,  stating  that  the  de- 
bate convinced  them  who  was  right, 
and  lived  and  died  old  Baptist  preach- 
ers. He  was  good,  gentle  and  kind. 
His  sermons  were  weighty  and  im- 
pressive,    and     other     denominations 


would  go  for  miles  to  hear  him 
preach.  His  last  words  were:  "All  is 
bright;  all  is  glorious;  my  room  is 
filled  with  angels,  and  glory,"  and 
passed  away  without  a  struggle. 


JOHN    S.    BRINSON. 

Brinson,  Elder  John  S.  (1812-1883), 
of  North  Carolina  was  the  seventh 
son  of  John  and  Susanah  Brinson.  He 
was  received  into  fellowship  by  the 
church  at  Milton,  Palmlico  County, 
(formerly  Craven  County.)  by  baptism 
in  1851,  and  was  licensed  by  said 
church  to  exercise  his  ministerial 
gift  January,  1854.  The  church  ap- 
proving of  his  ministerial  qualifica- 
tions, he  was  regularly  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  Jan- 
uary, 1855.  After  the  death  of  Elder 
James  Griffin  he  was  chosen  pastor  of 
the  church  at  Milton,  the  duties  of 
which  office  he  faithfully  discharged 
till  the  day  of  his  death.  During  the 
term  of  his  ministry  he  served  at  one 
time  as  m\any  as  four  or  five  churches 
as  occasional  pastor,  and  they  situated 
120  miles  apart  east  and  west,  and 
50  miles  apart  north  and  south.  As 
to  the  zeal,  ability,  faithfulness  and 
perseverance  with  which  he  discharg- 
ed the  duties  of  his  office  those  he 
served  are  the  most  competent  judges. 
He  was  faithful  and  studied  to  sho-w 
himself  approved  unto  God,  a  work- 
man that  needed  not  to  be  ashamed, 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth  and 
giving  to  each  his  portion  in  due  sea- 
son. He  was  considered  able  in  the 
ministry  and  gospel  discipline  by  the 
Baptists  generally  throughout  the 
eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  it  seem- 
ed to  give  him  pleasure  to  give  ad- 
vice to  his  younger  brethren  in  re- 
gard to  proper  church  discipline  when- 
ever asked.  One  thing  was  very  no- 
ticeable— the  churches  under  his  care 
lived  peaceably  and  in  brotherly  love, 
disturbances  of  any  kind  seldom,  ever 
slipping  in  to   mar   their  peace. 


W.   T.    BROADWAY. 

Broadway,  Elder  W.  T.,  of  North  Car- 
olina was  born  September  28,  1852; 
convicted  of  sin  when  about  thirty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  after  much 
soul  sorrow  was  given  a  hope  in  the 
Saviour  and  united  with  the  Baptists 
November,  1883.  Soon  he  was  burden- 
ed with  the  duty  of  preaching  Jesus 
to  others,  and  was,  in  dreams  and  in 
other  ways,  impressed   with  a  feeling 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


49 


sense  of  his  duty.  But  for  about  thir- 
teen years  he  was  disobedient  and 
received  the  chastenings  of  the  Lord. 
In  August,  1896,  he  was  licensed  to 
preach  and  in  November  the  same 
year  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of 
the  ministry.  He  was  soon  chosen  to 
the  pastoral  care  of  five  churches, 
viz:  Salisbury  church,  Pine,  Tom's 
Creek,  Rock  Hill  and  Gains  Grove, 
and  has  proven  a  faithful,  zealous 
pastor.  Elder  Broadway  is  loved  by 
his  people,  is  strong  in  the  faith  and 
practice  of  the  apostolic  church,  and 
desires  to  be  found  contending  for 
those  things  that  become  sound  doc- 
trine and  which  tends  to  build  up  the 
broken  walls  of  Zion. 


ARCHIE    BROWN. 

Brown,  Elder  Archie,  of  Fort 
Branch,  Ind.  This  gifted  and  zealous 
minister,  -was  born  in  White  County, 
Ills.,  January  5,  1859.  When  quite 
young  he  often  thought  about  death 
and  eternity,  and  intended  to  get  re- 
ligion when  older.  He  concluded  it 
would  not  require  much  of  an  effort 
for  he  felt  that  he  was  not  very  bad. 
But  one  evening  when  about  fifteen 
years  of  age,  in  the  field  all  alone,  he 
was  convicted  of  sin  and  for  about 
two  years  was  made  to  feel  he  was 
growing  worse  and  worse  until  hell 
seemed  to  be  his  portion,  but  at  this 
point  of  man's  extremity  was  God's 
opportunity.  He  was  given  a  hope  in 
Jesus  as  his  Saviour,  his  burden  was 
gone  and  a  new  song  put  in  his 
mouth  even  praise  unto  God.  He  loved 
the  church  and  desired  to  join  but  felt 
too  unworthy.  He  was,  however,  soon 
made     to   feel     that     Jesus     was  his 


worthiness,  united  with  Little  Wabash 
Church,  February,  1877,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  David  Stewart.  Four 
years  later  he  began  preaching  and 
was  in  August,  1883,  ordained  to  the 
full  functions  of  the  gospel,  since 
which  time  he  has  had  the  care  of 
from  one  to  four  churches,  and  be- 
sides, has  traveled  considerably 
among  the  Baptists  in  many  states. 
He  was  also,  for  several  years,  prior 
to  Elder  Lemual  Potters'  death,  asso- 
ciated with  him  in  the  publication  of 
the  Church  Advocate  as  joint  editor 
and  proprietor,  and  as  a  writer  was 
noted  for  his  simple,  clear  style.  But 
whether  in  the  pulpit  or  the  editor's 
chair  Elder  Brown  has  always  oppos- 
ed the  progressive  spirit  among  our 
people,  nor  has  he  ever  been  accused 
of  not  preaching  Jesus  as  a  complete 
Saviour.  He  concludes  that  if  the  doc- 
trine and  practice  of  the  apostolic 
church  is  perfect  and  we  begin  to  pro- 
gress along  these  lines,  we  go  back- 
ward instead  of  forward.  He  has  bap- 
tized into  the  fellowship  of  his  church 
about  three  hundred  persons  and  the 
Lord  has  blessed  his  labors  to  the 
comfort,  edification  and  instruction  of 
many.  In  1879  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Lucy  Potter,  a  daughter  of  Elder  Lem- 
uel Potter,  and  this  union  has  been 
blessed  with  four  sons.  Elder  Brown 
writes:  "My  only  hope  for  a  better 
place  than  this  is  in  Christ,  and  yet 
sometimes  I  feel  that  it  is  unreasona- 
ble for  a  poor  sinner  like  I  am  to  even 
claim  a  hope  in  the  dear  Saviour." 


W. 


BROWN. 


Brown,  Elder  W.  T.,  of  Richmond, 
Mo.,  son  of  Thos.  A.  Brown,  who  was 
for   over   forty   years    deacon   in   New 


50 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Hope  Church,  was  born  October  7, 
1847.  He  was  blessed  with  good  moral 
taining,  but  had  but  few  opportuni- 
ties for  receiving  an  education;  was 
raised  on  a  farm  and  has  since  fol- 
lowed this  vocation  when  not  engaged 
in  ministerial  work;  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  E.  White,  December  6, 
1866;  convicted  of  sin  in  the  Spring 
of  1867,  and  for  one  and  a  half  years 
was  made  to  feel  the  wrath  and  con- 
demnation of  Sinai's  law;  was  given  a 
sweet  hope     in   Jesus,     and   in   July, 

1869,  united  with  the  church  and  was 
that  day  told  by  some  of  his  brethren 
that  he  would  have  to  preach  which 
greatly  frightened  him, — his  brethren 
having  discovered  the  gift  that  he  had 
before  felt  in  his  heart  though  endeav- 
ordered  to  keep  it  hid.  He  began,  in  a 
few  months,  to  speak  publicly  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  and  was  in  November, 

1870,  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try by  Elders  Jas.  Duva1,  Isaac  Odell 
and  Allen  Sisk.  Elder  Brown  has  since 
had  the  care  of  two  to  four  churches 
and  has  traveled  and  preached  in  Illi- 
nois, Iowa,  Nebraska,  Kansas,  Okla- 
homa, Texas,  California,  Idaho,  Oregon 
and  Washington,  and  has  been  well  re- 
ceived among  the  Baptists.  He  firmly 
believes  that  the  preaching  of  the  doc- 
trine of  free,  sovereign,  efficient  and 
effectual  grace  for  all  the  elect  and 
the  practice  of  the  New  Testament 
teaching  will  not  cause  strife  and  di- 
visions among  the  dear  people  of  God. 
He  has  fought  a  good  fight  thus  far 
and  desires  to  finish  his  course  along 
the  same  line  he  has  been  pursuing 
nearly   forty  years. 


unto  the  saints  for  more  than  fifty 
years,  and  died  in  the  full  triumphs  of 
that  faith  in  his  eighty-ninth  year  of 
age. 


WILLIAM    BROWN. 

Brown,  Elder  William,  was  born  in 
Rowan  County,  N.  O,  on  the  8th  day 
of  November,  1794,  and  died  at  his 
home  in  Johnson  County,  N.  O,  on  the 
11th  day  of  July,  1884.  His  last  ser- 
mon was  preached  at  Cross  Roads 
Church  from  I  John  3:1,  "Behold, 
what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath 
bestowed  upon  us,  that  we  should  be 
called  the  sons  of  God:  therefore  the 
world  knoweth  us  not,  because  it  knew 
him  not.'  He  was  the  pastor  at  Union, 
Bethany  and  Juniper  churches  for 
many  years,  and  was  faithful,  being  a 
partaker  of  the  afflictions  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  knowing  in  whom  he  had  be- 
lieved, and  was  persuaded  that  God 
was  able  to  keep  that  which  he  had 
committed  unto  Him  against  that  day. 
As  a  minister  he  was  faithful  and  con- 
tended for     the  faith     once  delivered 


JOHN    W.    BROWN. 

Brown,  Elder  John  W.  (1825-1875)— 
of  Onslow  County,  N.  C,  the  son  of 
Im.  and  Olive  Brown,  was  convicted 
of  sin  in  his  twelfth  year  and  several 
years  later  was  gTven  a  hope  in  Jesus 
and  directed  to  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church,  which  he  joined;  was  socn 
licensed  to  preach  and  in  1860  was 
ordained  to  the  gospel  work.  He  trav- 
eled tnrough  heat  and  cold,  day  and 
night,  to  preach  salvation  by  grace  to  ■ 
a  dying  world,  and  to  teach  man's 
accountability  to  his  God,  and  to  warn 
poor  sinners  to  flee  from  the  wrath 
to  come.  His  manner  of  preaching  was 
with  such  great  power  it  attracted  the 
attention  of  old  and  young;  so  as  a 
general  thing  he  had  large  congrega- 
tions to  preach  to.  Elder  Brown  first 
married  Emily  Caneday,  by  whom  he 
had  six  sons.  After  the  death  of  his 
first  wife  he  broke  up  house-keeping 
and  scattered  his  children,  and  re- 
mained without  a  wife  until  1863 
when  he  was  married  to  Eliza  Hill. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  three 
sons  and  one  daughter.  He  fought  a 
good  fight  and  finished  his  course 
with  joy. 


JESSE  BROWN. 

Brown,  Elder  Jesse,  was  born  in 
Duplin  County,  N.  C,  on  September 
30,  1846,  and  when  but  a  child  lost 
both  father  and  mother  by  death.  He 
became  greatly  troublbed  on  account 
of  sin  in  1875  and  felt  to  be  lost  and 
without  hope,  but  about  1879  the  Lord 
appeared  to  him  as  his  redeemer. 
Then  the  praise  of  the  Lord  was  his 
joy  and  he  joined  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists and  was  baptized  in  1880,  and' 
began  to  preach  Jesus  in  1886,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry,  at  Sandy  Bottom,  Lenoir 
County,  N.  C,  in  1888.  He  is  yet  in 
the  service,  having  care  of  churches 
in  North  Carolina.  Elder  Brown  is  a 
man  of  deep  thought  and  an  able 
speaker. 


W,M.   M.   BRYAN. 

Bryan,  Elder  Wm.  M.,  was  born 
December  30,  1842,  in  Georgia  and 
died   at  Clayton,     Texas,   January   17, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


51 


1904.  He  joined  Pleasant  Hill  Church 
in  Georgia  July  26,  1873,  and  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
try at  Emmaus  Church  in  the  Fellow- 
ship Association  in  Alabama,  1891. 
He  moved  to  Eastern  Texas  January 
5,  1893,  and  served  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  of  Christ  near  Clayton, 
called  Mt.  Moriah,  as  pastor  until 
death.  He  was  a  kind  husband,  ruling 
over  his  house  gently,  with  a  Christ- 
like spirit  of  love.  He  proved  his  call- 
ing of  God  by  ruling  his  house  well 
and  knowing  how  to  take  care  of  the 
house  of  God.  He  lived  a  faithful, 
sober  life,  providing  things  honest  in 
the  sight  of  all  men.  He  said  upon  his 
death-bed:  "I  am  proud  to  die  in  the 
faith  I  have  lived  in — the  'faith  once 
delivered  unto  the  saints." 


W.  C.  BRYAN. 

Bryan,  Elder  W.  C,  was  born  in 
Barber  County,  Ala.,  on  August  4, 
1838,  and  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  on 
February  28,  1901.  He  moved  to  Floyd 
County,  Ga.,  in  18G8,  and  bought  a 
farm  five  miles  west  of  Rome,  Ga., 
where  he  lived  for  several  years.  He 
served  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  that 
district  many  years.  He  received  a 
hope  in  Jesus  when  young,  but  from 
a  feeling  of  unworthiness  he  did  not 
join  the  church  until  June  27,  1873, 
when  he  and  his  companion  both  were 
received  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Pleasant 
Hill,  Floyd  County,  Ga.,  and  were 
baptized  by  Elder  L.  C.  D.  Payne. 
Elder  Bryan  was  ordained  deacon 
November  21,  1874.  He  was  licensed 
to  preach  in  1882  and  was  ordained  De- 
cember 6,  1884,  by  Elders  L.  C.  D. 
Payne  A.  Johnson,  F.  M.  Casog  and  A. 
Maples.  Since  that  time  he  has  served 
from  three  to  five  churches,  and  was 
ever  a  pompt,  faithful  minister.  He 
seemed  to  have  the  cause  at  heart,  and 
his  duty  to  the  church  always  came 
first.  The  following  are  the  churches  he 
has  served:  Emmaus  and  Melville, 
Chattanooga  County,  Ga. ;  Pleasant 
Hill,  Midway,  and  Rockdale,  of  Floyd 
County,  Ga. ;  Rocky  Creek  and  Mt. 
Horeb,  Gordon  County,  Ga. ;  Provi- 
dence, Cherokee  County,  Ala.,  and 
West  Atlanta  Church.  He  served  as 
clerk  of  the  Euharlie  Association  from 
1884  up  to  his  death.  He  was  also 
elected  twice  to  the  legislature  in 
Floyd  County,  Ga.  The  positions  he 
has  so  faithfully  filled  show  that  he 
was  a  very  useful  citizen.  He  was 
highly  esteemed  and  will  be  greatly 
missed. 


THOMAS   BUCK. 

Buck,  Ettler  Thomas,  was  born 
about  1750  at  what  is  now  known  as 
Bucktown,  Warren  County,  Va.,  and 
died  18G2.  He  was  a  grandson  of 
Chas.  Buck,  the  first  of  the  name  who 
settled  in  the  valley  west  of  the  Blue 
Ridge.  He  entered  the  ministry  early 
in  life,  and  served  the  Master  in  that 
work  the  whole  of  a  long  life.  He  was 
a  man  of  strong  character,  a  conscien- 
tious Christian  devoted  to  his  work, 
and  was  called  "Father  Buck"  by  the 
younger  generation  of  his  locality, 
and  was  one  of  the  most  prominent 
of  the  ministers  in  his  part  of  the 
state.  He  preached  for  years  at  the 
Old  School  Baptist  Church  at  Water 
Lick,  Nineveh  and  Front  Royal.  He 
was  known  and  beloved  through  all 
the  bounds  of  the  Ketoctan  Associa- 
tion as  one  who  manfully  "contended 
for  the  faith;"  and  is  still  quoted  as 
an  authority  upon  subjects  connected 
with    the    tenents    of   the    church. 


W.   M.    BULLARD. 

Bullard,  Elder  W.  M.  This  humble 
and  faithful  servant  of  the  Master, 
was  born  in  Macon  County,  Ga.,  Janu- 
ary 13,  1860.  His  parents  were  poor 
in  this  world's  goods,  and  were  not 
able  to  give  him  an  education.  Yet  he 
was  determined  to  educate  himself, 
and  by  hard  study  and  God's  blessings, 
has  made  himself  a  well  informed 
man.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  receiv- 
ed a  severe  injury  in  the  shoulder,  in 
working  around  some  machinery.  He 
united  with  the  Bethel  Church,  in 
Phenix  City,  Ala.,  June,  1887,  bap- 
tized by  Elder  J.  S.  Boxley,  and  serv- 
ed as  clerk  and  deacon,  and  later  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry,  and  served  the  church  as 
pastor.  Brother  Bullard  was  ordained 
June,  1897,  and  has  served  from  two 
to  four  churches  since.  He  is  much 
beloved  by  his  people,  and  his  home 
church  now  numbers  over  a  hundred 
in  fellowship. 


BALAS   BUNDY. 

Bundy,  Elder  Balas,  of  New  York, 
was  born  April  15,  1828,  in  Otego,  Ot- 
sego County,  N.  Y.  He  received  a  hope 
in  Christ  in  1852,  and  united  with  the 
New  School  Baptist  Church  in  Otego.  A 
few  years  after  he  became  so  dissatis- 
fied with  the  doctrine  and  order  of  that 
church  that  he  with  a  few  others,  sep- 


52 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


a  rated  from  it,  and  organized  "The 
Old  School  Baptist  Church  of  Otego," 
where  the  doctrine  and  order  of  the 
gospel  has  been  maintained  ever 
since.  In  1S71  Elder  Silas  H.  Durand 
was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the 
church.  Balas  Bundy  had  then  been 
exercised  in  regard  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry  about  nine  yeais,  and 
had  persistently  resisted  the  impres- 
sion. During  that  year  his  opposition 
was  overcome.  Having  long  been  dis- 
satisfied with  his  baptism,  regarding 
it  as  not  in  the  order  of  the  gospel, 
because  he  was  not  at  the  time  in  fel- 
lowship with  the  one  who  administer- 
ed the  ordinance,  he  asked  of  the 
church  that  the  ordinance  might  be 
administered,  and  he  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Durand  October  5,  1871.  He  was 


BALAS    BUNDY 

ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  min- 
istry May  8,  1873,  and  soon  after  ac- 
cepted the  call  of  the  church  to  be 
pastor,  and  remained  in  that  relation 
till  his  departure.  May  29,  1899,  faith- 
fully performing  his  duties  in  the 
church  and  in  the  world.  The  last  25 
years  of  his  life  he  traveled  much, 
preaching  in  many  different  churches, 
and  was  well  known  in  the  eastern 
states  and  Canada,  There  was  but  one 
opinion  and  one  voice  among  all  the 
lovers  of  truth  who  knew  him  con- 
cerning the  gift  that  was  in  him,  that 
it  was  most  rich  and  precious  and 
valuable,  and  that  it  was  constantly 
stirred  up  and  in  exercise  for  the 
comfort  of  the  Lord's  afflicted  and 
poor  people.  He  seldom  wrote  for 
publication,  and  but  little  privately, 
but  most  precious  fruit  was  constant- 
ly falling  from  his  lips,  not  alone 
when  in  the  pulpit,  but  wherever  and 
whenever   he   spoke,   and    it  was    evi- 


dently "the  fruit  of  the  lips"  which 
the  Lord  creates.  Isa.  57:  19.  He  was 
very  spiritually-minded,  and  not  at  all 
given  to  levity  in  his  life  or  conver- 
sation. His  estimation  of  himself  and 
his  gift  was  very  low,  and  he  could 
hardly  dare  to  speak  of  himself  as  a 
preacher.  But  the  sweetness  and  rich- 
ness of  his  gifts  were  most  wonder- 
ful to  his  brethren,  and  he  was  most 
highly  esteemed  for  his  clear  view  of 
doctrine  and  order,  and  his  faithful- 
ness. 


H.  S.  BUNSON. 

Bunson,  Elder  H.  S.,  was  born  June 
13,  1821,  united  with  the  church  at 
Opeka  1850,  ordained  1866,  and  after 
a  quarter  of  a  century  of  faithful  serv- 
ice, died  at  his  post  August  16,  1903. 
So  great  was  his  love  for  the  cause  of 
Christ  that  though  a  cripple  from  white 
swellings  and  almost  blind,  and  poor 
in  this  world's  goods,  yet  for  years  he 
would  often  walk  twenty  miles  through 
any  kind  of  weather  to  meet  his  ap- 
pointments, and  while  he  never  spoke 
with  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom 
or  excellence  of  speech;  yet  he  was 
an  interesting  speaker  and  often  held 
his  audience  for  two  hours.  While  he 
was  bold  as  a  lion  yet  he  was  also  as 
harmless  as  a  dove,  always  bowing  in 
humble  submission  to  his  brethren  as 
long  as  their  faith  and  practice  was 
according  to  the  Scripture,  but  would 
fellowship  no  discord.  He  main, 
tained  a  Godly  walk  and  pious  conver- 
sation, and  was  well  beloved  as  a 
neighbor  and  minister.  His  'ast  ad- 
monition was  to  contend  for  the  faith 
and  never  to  yield  to  the  enemies  of 
the  church,  and  that  he  felt  he  had 
fought  a  good  fight;  that  he  had  kept 
the  faith  and  was  ready  to  depart  and 
be  with  his  Lord. 


JAS.   A.   BURCH. 

Burch,  Elder  Jas  A.,  of  North  Caro- 
lina, was  born  in  Person  County,  N.  C, 
August  24,  1829.  He  professed  a  hope 
in  Christ  and  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  at  Wheeler's,  in  Per- 
son County  N.  C,  1856,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  A.  N.  Hall,  who  was 
pastor  of  said  church,  and  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry  on 
December  2,  1871,  by  a  presbytery 
composed  of  Elders  A.  N.  Hall,  D.  R. 
Moore,  and  James  S.  Dameron.  He 
lived  the  upright  life,  and  his  fruit  in 
his  daily  life  was  such  as  the  grace  of 
God   manifests   in   His   children.     The 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


53 


war  between  the  States  commenced, 
and  he  volunteered  March  4,  1862,  was 
elected  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  A, 
Fiftieth  Regiment,  North  Carolina 
Troops,  and  served  as  such  to  the  sec- 
ond of  December,  1862.  He  was  then 
promoted  to  Captain  of  the  same  com- 
pany and  served  as  such  until  the  26th 
of  April,  1865,  and  surrendered  with 
the  army  at  Greensboro,  N.  C.  He  was 
loved  by  his  company  and  preserved 
in    the    Providence    of    God    with    his 


22,   1895,  and  has  since  had  the  care 
of  churches.  He  is  well  established  in 


JAS.    A.   BURCH 

command,  had  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  his  superior  officers  and  re- 
turned home  clothed  with  his  char- 
acter unspotted.  As  a  minister  he  was 
faithful  and  his  labors  were  blessed 
and  the  churches  prospered  and  in- 
creased in  numbers  under  his  care. 
He  was  a  good  peace-maker,  and  lab- 
ored to  keep  peace  in  the  churches. 
He  traveled  much  in  North  Carolina. 
Tennessee,  Alabama  and  Virginia.  He 
fought  a  good  fight,  finished  his  course 
and  breathed  his  last  at  home  near 
Burlington,  on  April  12,  1906. 


PLEASANT  BURGER. 


Burger,  Elder  Pieasant,  of  Moulton, 
Iowa,  This  faithful  and  useful  servant 
of  God  was  born  in  Estil  County,  Ken- 
tucky, April  27,  1848,  and  moved  to 
Iowa  in  1S59.  He  obtained  a  hope  and 
joined  the  Missionary  Baptists  in 
1884  and  lived  with  them  five  years, 
and  then  united  with  Fox  River 
Church  of  Primitive  Baptists,  Davis 
County,  Iowa.  He  was  ordained  June 


PLESANT    BURGER 


the  doctrine  of  grace.  Data  for  a 
more  extended  sketch  could  not  be 
obtained. 


JAMES    BURK. 

Burk,  Elder  James,  departed  this 
this  life  June  2,  1895.  He  was  born  in 
Ohio,  February  19,  1835,  and  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Lewis  County, 
Mo.,  in  the  year  1855,  and  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Rebecca  Hall  in  1857. 
He  professed  a  hope  in  Christ  in  Ohio 
and  joined  the  Methodist  Church.  He 
afterwards     became     dissatisfied   and 


54 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


joined  the  Missionary  Baptists  in  Mis- 
souri, but  was  still  dissatisfied.  He 
had  never  heard  an  Old  Baptist 
preach  and  knew  nothing  about  them 
as  a  people,  and  like  a  great  many 
others  thought  their  doctrine  was  dan- 
gerous. But  he  was  so  dissatisfied 
with  the  people  with  whom  he  was 
identified,  he  concluded  that  he  would 
go  and  hear  Elder  Henry  Louthan  at 
a  school  house  near  by,  and  there  for 
the  first  time  heard  a  doctrine  that 
harmonized  with  his  experience,  and 
met  a  people  with  whom  he  felt  he 
could  live.  He  afterward  joined  Lunies 
Creek  Church  in  Shelby  County,  Mo., 
and  lived  a  faithful  and  consistent 
member  until  death.  He  was  ordained 
August,  1889,  by  Elders  S.  W.  Sears 
and  ■ — ■ — ■  Burke,  and  ever  after- 
wards proved  his  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  God  and  truth. 


to  those  whom  he  believed  to  be  God's 
chosen  people. 


WM.  C.  BURKS. 

Burks,  Elder  Wm.  C.  was  born 
March  7,  1818  and  died  December  3, 
1904.  When  he  was  about  seven  years 
old  his  father,  James  L.  Burks  moved 
to  Talbot  County,  Ga.,  where  Elder 
Burks  grew  to  manhood,  and  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Sarah  Weathers,  daugh- 
ter of  Daniel  Weathers.  He  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
(Shiloh)  in  Tallapoosa  County,  Ala., 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  James  Car- 
ter, and  was  soon  chosen  by  the 
church  and  set  apart  by  ordination  as 
deacon,  Elder  Carter,  J.  J.  Dickson,  J. 
M.  Pearson,  and  W.  H.  Mitchell  offi- 
ciating as  presbytery.  From  there  he 
moved  to  Leak  County,  Miss.,  and  uni- 
ted by  letter  with  the  church  at  "Pil- 
grims Rest,"  and  the  27th  of  Novem- 
ber was  ordained  to  exercise  in  all  the 
functions  of  the  gospel  ministry,  Eld- 
ers J.  G.  Crecelius  and  W.  Crawford 
acting  as  presbytery.  In  November, 
1872,  he  settled  in  Comanche  Ccunty. 
Texas,  and  by  the  aid  of  W.  M.  Don- 
ald constituted  a  church  and  called  it 
Shiloh,  and  for  some  time  afterwards 
was  the  only  Primitive  Baptist  preach- 
er in  the  county.  He  said  he  always 
found  it  good  to  trust  in  the  Lord  and 
do  that  which  the  Saviour  commanded 
as  his  duty;  said  it  gave  a  peace  of 
mind  the  world  could  neither  give  nor 
take  away.  For  more  than  ten  years 
of  his  life  he  was  not  able  to  walk 
without  the  aid  of  crutches,  but  would 
go  to  church  and  preach  to  his  people 
up  to  within  one  year  of  his  death.  He 
loved  the  cause  for  which  he  was  fight- 
ing and  was  ever  an  humble  minister 


SAMUEL   BRANCH    BURNETT. 

Burnett,  Elder  Samuel  Branch,  of 
Georgia,  was  born  in  Dinwiddie  Coun- 
ty, Va.,  7th  April,  1803.  Moved  to  Geor- 
gia in  early  life  and  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Crawford  County  near  Mt.  Paran 
Church  which  church  he  joined  Octo- 
ber, 1827.  He  served  this  chuich  as 
clerk  and  deacon,  and  was  ordained  to 
the  ministry  November,  1838,  by  Eld- 
ers Jonathan  Neal,  Luke  J.  Nowell 
and  Simon  Parker.  He  was  soon  called 
to  serve  Bethel,  Salem,  Mt.  Paran 
and  Shiloh  churches.  He  was  with  the 
churches  in  the  Missionary  struggle, 
and  stood  by  the  churches  in  the  Ma- 
sonic struggle.  He  ever  tried  to  de- 
fend the  rights  of  the  church,  and 
the  doctrine  of  Gcd  our  Saviour.  He 
died  February  5,  1887,  and  was  one  of 
the  oldest  citizens  in  Bibb  County. 
His  rectitude  of  life  and  firmness  of 
character  is  well  known  by  all  who 
knew  him.  He  was  one  of  the  oldest 
and  ablest  ministers  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  having  worn  the  gospel  yoke 
fifty  years  defending  the  cause  of  his 
heaArenly  Master  with  a  steadfast 
faithfulness  until  called  to  his  re- 
ward. 


MILTON    WESLEY    BYRAM. 

Byram,  Elder  Milton  Wesley,  of 
Iowa,  was  born  in  Dard  County,  O., 
December  1,  1837,  and  when  a  child 
moved  with  his  parents  to  near  Union 
City,  Ind.,  where  he  grew  to  manhood. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  was  mar- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


55 


ried  to  Miss  Mary  McFarlan,  who  died 
-within  about  ten  years  afterward. 
About  this  time  he  moved  to  Iowa 
and  was  in  1874  married  to  Miss  Ma- 
hala  Oldham,  who  died  the  same  year. 
Soon  after  this  he  was  again  married 
to  Mrs.  Mary  I.  Roberts.  Early  in  life 
he  was  convicted  of  sin  and  after  ma- 
turity united  with  the  Baptists,  was 
soon  elected  as  clerk  of  his  church, 
then  ordained  deacon  and  in  1894  was 
ordained  to  the  full  functions  of  the 
gospel  ministry.  He  served  several 
churches  as  pastor  and  was  at  the 
time  of  his  death  Moderator  of  Des 
Moines  River  Association,  and  during 
his  ministry  proved  his  love  for  the 
cause  of  truth  in  word  and  deed. 


JOSHUA    CABBAGE. 

Cabbage,  Elder  Joshua,  Gentryville, 
Ind.,  was  born  in  Wlarwick  County, 
Ind.,  October  13,  1840.  In  early  life  he 
was  convicted  of  sin  and  given  a  hope 
in  the  Saviour  and  united  with  Little 
Zion  Church  of  Old  School  or  Piinii- 
tive  Baptists.  Soon  he  was  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  and  has 
since  been  preaching  wherever  in  the 
providence  of  God,  his  lot  has  been 
cast,  though  his  services  have  been 
confined  mostly  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Little  Zion  Association,  which  as- 
sociation he  has  served  both  as  clerk 
and  moderator.  Elder  Cabbage,  though 
nearly  seventy  years  old,  is  active  and 
zealous  in  the  cause  of  truth  and 
spends  most  of  his  time  in  traveling 
among  and  preaching  for  churches  in 
Indiana,  Illinois,  Kentucky  and  Ten- 
nessee. 


M.   M.  CANNINE. 

Cannine,  Elder  M.  M.,  of  Crawfords- 
ville,  Ind.,  was  bom  in  Montgomery 
County,  Ind.,  April  13,  1850.  His 
grandparents  on  both  sides,  and  his 
parents  were  Baptists.  He  cannot  re- 
member the  time  when  the  conversa- 
tion of  Christians  was  not  pleasant  to 
his  ear.  In  his  thirteenth  year  he  be- 
came especially  interested  in  the 
things  of  the  Kingdom'  of  Jesus,  was 
convicted  of  sin  and  in  his  sixteenth 
year  of  age  was  given  a  hope  in  the 
Saviour.  The  follow  ing  year — Febru- 
ary, 1SG7 — he  united  with  the  church, 
and  soon  commenced  speaking  in  pub- 
lic, but  there  arising  a  division  in  the 
church  of  his  membership  over  the 
"two-seed-doctrine"  and  its  kindred 
subjects,  some  of  these  advocating 
these  doctrines  opposing  his  ordina- 
tion, he  was  not  ordained  until  Octo- 
ber, 1901.  Elder  Cannine  is  considered 
sound  in  the  doctrine  and  practice  of 
the  apostolic  church.  Recently  he 
writes:  "I  joined  the  dear  old  church 
in  '67  and  soon  commenced  spea'Jng 
in  public  and  have  no  reason  to  desert 
the  flag  of  my  Master,  although  fitian 
cial  distress  has  tied  my  hands  so 
that  I  feel  I  am  doing  nothing  for  the 
cause  as  I  should."  May  God's  dear 
people  not  muzle  the  ox  that  tredeth 
out  the  corn. 


HARON    CANTRELL. 

Cantrell,  Elder  Haron.  The  Christ- 
ian life  of  this  worthy  minister  was 
mostly  spent  in  the  Little  Vine  Asso- 
ciation of  which  he  was  often  Moder- 
ator, though  he  sometimes  visited 
other     associations.     He  was  truly   a 


56 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


father  in  Israel,  an  earnest  contender 
for  truth  and  good  order  in  the 
church,   and     when   he   fell   asleep   it 


could   truly  he   said   of   him   "a   great 
man  has  fallen  in  Israel." 


H.  C.  CARD. 

Card,  Elder  H.  C,  This  faithful  min- 
ister lives  in  Montgomery,  111.,  and 
is  serving  Old  Harmony  the  oldest 
church  in  the  county,  which  was  or 
ganized  in  1820.  He  was  born  1841, 
convicted  of  sin  and  made  to  love  the 
church  in  1863,  but  lay  out  of  his  duty 
until  1870  A\hen  he  united  with  the 
church.  He  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  1896,  but  a  full 
sketch  of  his  life  and  labors  could 
not  appear  for  want  of  data. 


CALVIN    CARD. 

Card,  Elder  Calvin,  born  1812,  died 
1852,  was  the  father  of  Elder  H.  C, 
and  a  faithful  and  uncompromising 
soldier  of  the  Cross,  and  highly  es- 
teemed as  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 
He  was  faithful  until  the  end  and  died 
in  the  full  assurance  of  the  gospel  he 
had  preached  to  others. 


R.   W.   CARLISLE. 

Carlisle,  Elder  R.  W.,  was  born  1805 
and  died  November  3,  1890,  near  Good- 
water,  Coosa  County,  Ala.,  He  united 
with  the  Baptist  church  in  1830,  be- 
fore the  division,  and  was  soon  there- 
after set  apart  as  deacon,  and  subse- 
quently moved  to  Chambers  County, 
Alabama,  and  thence  to  Tallapoosa, 
and  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  at 
Darien  Church  by  Elders  Moses  Gunn 
and  John  M.  Duke  in  1845,  and  in 
1859  he  moved  to  Coosa  County,  Ala., 
serving  from  three  to  five  churches, 
till  the  infirmities  of  age  forbid  his 
continuance.  For  more  than  twenty 
years  he  was  moderator  of  either  the 
Wetumpka  or  Hillabee  Associations. 
Elder  Carlisle  was  regarded  as  a 
sound,  consistent  and  able  minister, 
and  after  faithfully  serving  in  that  ca- 
pacity for  near  fifty  years,  fell  asleep 
in  Jesus  and  entered  his  eternal  home 
"that  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens." 


C.    J.    CARMICHAEL. 

Carmichael,  Elder  C.  J.,  of  Liberty, 
Ind.  This  aged,  faithful  and  zealous 
minister  of  the  New  Testament  was 
born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  August 
12,  1833;  raised  up  at  hard  physical 
labor  and  had  but  few  opportunities 
to  obtain  an  education;  convicted  of 
sin  in  his  eleventh  year  and  determin- 
ed that  he  would  get  religion  which 
appeared  so  easy  to  do,  but  proved  an 
impossible  task.  Years  passed  and 
still  he  would  put  off  "getting  relig- 
ion," until  one  day  in  1855  while  plow- 
ing he  was,  by  God's  spirit,  made  to 
see  his  broken  promise  and  to  fall 
upon  his  knees  between  the  ploy-han- 
dles and  cry  for  mercy,  and  for  about 
two  years  he  was  a  penitent,  and  like 
the  poor  publican  could  only  cry. 
"Lord,  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner." 
But  God  comforted  him  as  He  does 
all  of  his  mourning  children  and  gave 
him  a  hope  in  Jesus.  He  united  with 
the  church,  was  soon  impressed  to 
preach  Jesus  to  others,  but  ran  from 
duty,,  denied  that  he  was  so  impress- 
ed, was  afflicted  with  loss  of  goods 
and  burden  of  mind  and  made  to 
pray:  "Lord,  not  my  will,  but  Thine 
be  done."  Soon  he  was  ordained  and 
his  labors  blessed  of  the  Lord. 
Churches  were  constituted,  an  asso- 
ciation formed,  the  broken  walls  of 
Zion  built  up  and  Zion's  children  com- 
forted. His  wife  who  united  with  the 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


57 


church  one  month  previous  to  him, 
has,  during  their  long  pilgrimage  to- 
gether, proved  a  true  helpmate — a 
companion  indeed — a  devoted  mother 
in  Israel,  who  labored  hard  to  sup- 
port her  children  and  contribute  to 
the  cause  of  truth  so  that  they  might 
not  be  a  burden  to  the  church.  And 
she  has  been  blessed  to  see  her  chil- 
dren believe  and  love  the  same  doc- 
trine that  has  been  so  precious  to  her 
and  her  husband.  Elder  Carmichael 
has  traveled  in  several  states  preach- 
ing the  sweet  gospel  of  grace  and  has 
been  well  received.  He  is  humble, 
meek  and  kind-hearted;  but  also  firm, 
unwavering  and  uncompromising  with 
error.  A  lover  of  peace,,  fellowship  and 
good  will  among  God's  people  he  has 
labored  to  that  end,  but  feels  that  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  and  the 
practice  of  the  Apostolic  Church 
should  not  be  sacrificed,,  but  God's 
erring  children  should  be  labored  with 
in  a  gospel  manner  and  restored 
whenever  possible. 


THOMAS    CARNES. 

Carries,  Elder  Thomas,  of  Villa  Rica, 
Ga.,  is  the  beloved  moderator  of  New 
Hope  Primitive  Baptist  Association 
and  the  faithful  pastor  of  New  Hope 
and  Hopewell  churches  of  Douglass 
and  Carroll  Counties,  Ga.,  and  the 
editor  regrets  that  sufficient  informa- 
tion could  not  be  obtained  for  an  ex- 
tended sketch  of  his  life  and  labors. 


THOMAS  CARR. 

Carr,  Elder  Thomas,  of  North  Caro- 
lina, was  born  in  Virginia,  May  17, 
1804.  Joined  the  Methodist  Church 
when  young,  became  dissatisfied  and 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptists  at  Old 
Fox  Creek  Church,  Grayson  County, 
Va.,  November  3,  1837.  Was  licensed 
to  preach  August  3,  1838,  and  after- 
wards ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry.  He  served  Cross  Roads, 
Rock  Creek  and  Zion  churches  and 
adorned  the  profession  he  made.  He 
was  a  faithful  pastor,  often  rode 
through  rain,  hail  and  snow  until  his 
clothes  were  frozen  on  him.  Notwith- 
standing he  was  a  poor  man,  money 
could  not  hire  him  to  preach,  nor 
could  money  hire  him  to  quit  preach- 
ing, for  the  cause  of  Christ  was  so 
near  and  dear  to  him,  that  he  counted 
all  natural  things  but  dross,,  that  he 
might  obtain  that  inheritance  that  is 
incorruptible  and  undefiled  and  fadeth 
not  away.  He  died  June  21,  1876,  in 
the  full  triumphs  of  faith. 


ALBERT    CARTWRIGHT. 

Cartwright,  Elder  Albert.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Hide 
County,  N.  C,  in  1816,  and  died  in 
1892.  His  parents  were  Quakers.  In  his 
thirty-third  year  he  was  made  to  feel 
alarmed  about  himself  as  a  sinner 
while  listening  to  Elder  John  Stadler 
preach;  was  brought  under  deep  con- 
viction, received  a  good  hope  in  Jesus, 
united  with  the  church  in  1851,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  George  Cara- 
wan.  He  was  soon  impressed  with  the 
word  of  the  Lord,  was  liberated  to  ex- 
ercise his  gift  in  1853  and  ordained  in 
1865,  and  was  soon  called  to  serve 
the  following  churches:  Mattomuskeet 
Lake,  Beulah,  and  Bethlehem  in  Hyde 
and  Tyrell  Counties,  N.  C.  Elder  Cart- 
wright  was  kind  and  considerate  but 
uncompromising  when  it  came  to 
principles.  He  was  well  beloved  by 
his  people  and  exerted  a  good  influ- 
ence  in  his  county. 


DAVID   CARTER. 


Carter,  Elder  David,  of  Beaufort 
County,  N.  C,  was  born  June  22,  1834, 
and  died  November  27,  1908.  He  united 
with  the  church  at  the  Head  of  Pungo 
about  1860,  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Albin  Swindell  and  truly  adorned  the 
profession  he  made  by  a  well  ordered 
Christian  walk  and  conversation.  He 
was  ordained  in  1876  and  was,  until 
the  end  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage,  a 
faithful  minister;  as  a  man  he  was 
strictly  honest  in  dealing  with  his 
fellowman,  was  industrious,  and  well 
provided  for  his  own  house. 


B.    F.    CASEY. 


Casey,  Elder  B.  F.,  of  Texas.  This 
able,  worthy  minister  died  a  few  years 
ago.  The  editor's  efforts  to  secure 
data  from  which  to  write  a  suitable 
notice  of  his  life  and  labors  proved 
fruitless.  He  died  at  his  post,  in  the 
churchhouse  at  one  of  his  regular 
meeting  at  Wylie,  Texas. 


W.  J.  CASEY. 


Casey,  Elder  W.  J.  was  born  August 
27,  1849  in  Newton  County,  Ark.,  grew 
up  as  a  moral  boy,  was  deeply  con- 
victed as  a  sinner  in  1868,  given  a 
sweet  view  in  Jesus  as  his  Saviour 
and  made  to  rejoice  in  his  devotion, 
united  with  the  church  in  1884,  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry  1885.  Elder  Casey  is  pastor  of 
Little  Hope  Church,  has  traveled  much 
among  the  churches  and  baptized  sixty 
persons  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
church.  He  is  the  beloved  moderator 
of  the  Little  Zion  Association. 


58 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


JESSE    E.   CASEY. 


Casey,    Elder    Jesss    E.    (- 


-18G4), 


was  an  able  minister  of  the  Old 
School  order  and  faithfully  proclaimed 
Jesus  as  the  way,  the  truth  and  tiie 
life  for  many  years.  He  was  in  the 
constitution  of  Mt.  Gilead  Church  in 
Arkansas  in  1844,  and  was,  for  a  num- 
ber of  years,  the  moderator  of  the 
Buffalo  Association.  The  editor  re- 
grets that  for  lack  of  data  a  full 
sketch  of  his  life  could  not  be  given. 


A.  J.  CASSELL. 

Cassell,  Elder  A.  J.  peacefully  passed 
away  at  his  home  near  Cassell,  Va. 
on  the  15th  of  October,  1901,  and  was 
buried  at  old  Senter  Church,  Henry 
County,  Va.  He  was  eighty  years  old, 
and  was  a  preacher  more  than  fifty 
years.  He  served  as  moderator  of  the 
Smith  River  Association,  and  pastor 
of  several  churches  acceptably  for 
about  half  a  century.  He  had  but 
few  equals  in  the  ministry,  and  was 
held  in  high  esteem  by  the  Baptists. 
He  was  noted  for  his  pulpit  oratory  and 
loved  for  his  faithfulness. 


WALTER   CASH. 

Cash,  Elder  Walter,  of  St.  Joseph, 
Mo.  The  subject  of  this  notice  was 
born  in  Linn  County,  Mo.,  September 
2,  1856.  His  parents  were  Loyd  and 
Mary  J.  Cash.  When  a  boy  his  father 
moved  to  Linn  County,  Mo.,  in  1843, 
and  after  his  return  from  the  Mexi- 
can war,  in  which  he  was  a  soldier, 
settled  in  Linn  County.  He  never  be- 
came a  member  of  the  church,  though 
a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrine,  and  a 


warm  supporter  of  the  church,  and  for 
many  years  had  the  Christian  fellow- 
ship of  the  members.  Through  Elder 
Cash's  boyhood  days  he  lived  a  moral 
life,  having  an  ambition  to  be  truly 
a  good  and  useful  man  in  the  world 
When  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  he 
became  greatly  concerned  about  his. 
standing  before  God,  was  deeply  con- 
victed of  sin  and  after  vainly  trying 
to  live  a  perfect  life,  was  made  to  feel 
and  see  the  corruption  of  his  heart,  to 
cry  unto  God  for  mercy  and  was  given 
a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus.  The  church 
was  viewed  by  him  in  a  beautiful  way. 
May,  1873,  when  the  church  met  at 
the  home  of  his  grandfather,  Elder 
Thomas  T.  Burk,  a  true,  tried  servant 
of  the  Lord,  who  kept  the  faith  until 
his  course  was  finished,  and  the  oppor- 
tunity was  announced  by  the  pastor  of 
the  church,  Elder  Wilson  Thompson, 
he  went  forward,  was  received  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Thompson.  He  was 
married  in  1875,  to  Miss  Ellen  P.  Hard- 
in, who  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church  but  who,  upon  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  the  doctrine  of  grace, 
asked  for  membership  in  the  church. 
She  had  not  the  privilege  of  being 
baptized,  however,  as  the  Lord  called 
her  home  February  2,  1876.  His  sec- 
ond wife  was  Miss  Emma  Bentley,  to 
whom  he  was  married  March  4,  1877. 
She  was  also  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church  South,  but  in  May  1880  became 
a  member  of  West  Union  Church,  and 
has  uncomplainingly  borne  the  burdens 
which  fell  upon  her  by  her  husband 
giving  his  labors  to  the  churches.  Elder 
Cash  was  licensed  in  January,  1877, 
and  ordained  May,  1880  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  has  been  the 
faithful  pastor  of  several  churches.  He 
is  now  pastor  of  West  Union,  Liberty 
and  Little  Flock,  and  is  editor  and 
proprietor  of  The  Messenger  of  Peace. 
Elder  Cash  has  labored  for  the  up- 
building of  the  churches  with  tongue 
and  pen  by  trying  to  establish  them 
on  Scriptural  practice,  and  to  this  end 
he  published  a  work  entitled,  "Practi- 
cal Suggestions  for  Primitive  Baptists," 
the  first  edition  of  which  was  issued  in 
1899.  He  also  put  out  to  accompany 
this  work  a  "Deacon's  Account  Book," 
for  the  systematizing  of  the  financial 
business  of  the  churches,  and  a 
"Clerk's  Record  Book,"  so  ruled  as  to 
give  the  history  of  each  member  in 
connection  with  the  roll  of  members. 
He  also  published  "The  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Hymnal,"  which  contains  words  and 
music  that  is  well  received  among  the 
people.  Elder  Cash  is  one  of  our  most 
able  writers  and  speakers  and  is  well 
received  among  the  Baptists  wherever 
known. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


59 


BRYANT   CASH. 

Cash,  Elder  Bryant  was  born  May  5, 
1867,  in  Chariton  County,  Mo.  His 
father  was  James  Cash,  son  of  Abram 
Cash,  who  -was  a  son  of  Elder  Warren 
Cash,  of  Hardin  County  Ky.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Dora  P.  Brooks,  March 
10,  1889.  United  with  Sardis  church, 
of  Primitive  Baptists  in  Chariton 
County,  Mo.,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Walter  Cash,  on  the  second  Sunday  in 
November,  1890.  In  October,  1897,  he 
moved  with  bis  family  to  the  Cherokee 
Nation,  Indian  Territory,  now  the  state 
of  Oklahoma,  and  has  lived  there  since. 
He  heard  of  Prairie  Valley  Primitive 
Baptists  Church  about  forty  miles  from 
his  home  and  united  with  this  church 
in  March,  1901,  by  relation  as  the 
church  where  he  had  his  membership 
had  gone  down,  and  soon  commenced 
talking  in  public,  was  licensed  by  the 
church  in  1903,  and  ordained  December 
1907,  by  a  presbytery  composed  of  the 
following  named  brethren:  Elders  J. 
M.  Biddy,  J.  J.  Christian,  F.  M.  Wisdom, 
O.  E.  Odell  and  Deacon  G.  A.  Carpenter. 
His  labors  in  the  churches  has  been 
confined  to  the  bounds  of  Elk  River 
Association  in  Southern  Kansas  and 
Oklahoma;  and  Center  Creek  Associa- 
tion in  Southwestern  Missouri.  Elder 
Cash  writes  me  in  which  he  says:  "I 
realize  my  inability  to  discharge  the 
very  important  obligation  that  is  laid 
upon  me  as  a  minister.  I  desire  so 
much  that  God  will  bless  our  beloved 
Zion,  and  that  his  children  may  walk 
worthy  of  their  calling,  which  is  an 
holy  calling  to  a  life  of  soberness, 
holiness  and  virtue." 


JAMES  CASTLEBERRY. 

Castleberry,  Elder  James,  died  at  his 
residence  near  Water  Valley  Yalla- 
busha  County,  Miss..  July  19,  1885,  of 
paralysis.  Brother  Castleberry  was 
born  and  raised  in  Alabama,  where  he 
obtained  a  hope  in  Christ  and  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists.  Soon  after 
he  became  deeply  impressed  to  preach, 
he  decided  to  go  where  (as  he  ex- 
pressed it)  there  were  but  few  Bap- 
tists and  a  new  country,  and  he  would 
be  relieved  of  such  impressions;  ac- 
cordingly he  emigrated  to  Mississippi, 
in  about  1855,  where  he  found  Baptists 
of  his  kind,  and  became  so  restless  and 
distressed  that  he  began  to  preach, 
and  was  soon  ordained  and  traveled  ( 
and  preached  among  the  churches, 
much  to  their  comfort  and  edification. 
He  was  the  Moderator  of  the  Hopewell 
Association  for  several  years,  was 
dearly  beloved  by  all  the  brethren  who 
knew  him;  and  especially  the  Bap- 
tists of  the  Hopewell  Association.  He 
was  able  in  the  defense  of  the  truth; 
humble,  devoted  and  faithful,  in  all 
his  relations  of  life,  deep  in  the  doc- 
trine of  the  gospel,  lucid  in  all  his  il- 
lustrations, and  one  of  the  best  disci- 
plinarians. He  was  truly  an  exemplary 
man  in  all  his  daily  life,  so  that  he  had 
the  confidence  of  all  who  knew  him, 
having  a  good  report  of  them  that  are 
without. 


SAMUEL    CATE. 

Cate,  Elder  Samuel,  was  born  in  Jef- 
ferson County,  Tenn.,  July  5,  1830,  and 


60 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


united  with  Moravia  Church,  near  Mo- 
ravia, Iowa  February  10,  1866,  where 
he  was  ordained  May  7,  1887.  Elder 
Cate  was  of  a  meek  and  quiet  disposi- 
tion and  much  loved  among  his  breth- 
ren, and  it  is  regretted  that  a  full 
sketch  of  his  life  could  not  be  given, 
but  other  information  could  not  be  ob- 
tained.   He  died  November  24,  1894. 


B.   E.  CAUDILL. 

Caudill,  Elder  B.  E.,  of  Kentucky, 
though  of  limited  education,  was  a  man 
of  power  and  influence.  He  was  born 
in  Kentucky  in  1830,  united  with  the 
church  in  1850,  ordained  in  1854,  and 
lived  among  the  churches  of  his  native 
state  until  about  1865  when  he  moved 
to  Allegheny  County,  N.  C,  and  united 
with  Elk  Creek  Church  by  letter.  He 
began  preaching  within  the  bounds  of 
the  Mountain  District  Association  and 
after  many  years  of  untiring  zeal  and 
fruitful  preaching  in  this  and  sister 
associations,  where  he  baptized  hun- 
dreds, he  returned  to  his  native  state 
and  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith,  Feb- 
ruary 11,  1889.  He  was  an  eminent 
servant  of  God. 


BENJAMIN    CAVE. 

Cave,  Elder  Benjamin.  This  pioneer 
preacher  of  Ohio  was  born  in  Culpepper 
County,  Va.,  June  15,  1760.  His  father 
was  an  Englishman  and  emigrated  to 
America  about  1730,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  House  of  Burgess  in  1756.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  gallant  and 
faithful  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary 
war  and  in  his  old  age  drew  a  pension 
from  the  government  in  recognition  of 
his  faithfulness.  After  the  war  he 
moved  to  Kentucky  and  later  to  Fairfax 
County,  Ohio,  united  with  the  Baptists, 
soon  ordained  a  minister  and  organized 
the  Laurel  Baptist  Church  in  1803,  was 
first  pastor  of  Licking  Church  in  1807, 
and  served  other  churches  in  Ohio  in 
the  early  years  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury. He  died  in  Ross  County  Ohio,  at 
a  ripe  old  age  and  in  the  full  triumph 
of  a  living  faith. 


JAMES  CAVENAUGH. 

Cavenaugh,  Elder  James,  was  born 
January  1,  1816,  and  died  March  10, 
1899.  in  Duplin  County,  N.  C.  His 
membership  was  at  Muddy  Creek 
Church.     He    was    for   many'  years    a 


faithful  preacher.  His  life  was  spot- 
less, his  spirit  gentle  and  lovely,  sim- 
ple and  child-like.  He  had  no  fellow- 
ship for  wrong  doing,  but  was  a  lover 
of  good  men,  a  lover  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
and  his  doctrine.  He  was  a  man  that 
if  you  knew  him  you  would  have  no 
fear  about  his  doing  wrong.  You 
would  not  expect  anything  of  him  but 
to  do  right,  and  you  would  not  be  disap- 
pointed. He  never  sowed  discord 
among  the  brethren.  He  willingly 
labored  as  long  as  he  was  able  to  serve 
churches,  going  far  and  near,  using  his 
gift  to  glorify  the  Lord  and  benefit  his 
brethren. 


- "  '       '-    "  '■■■ 


S.   F.  CAYCE. 

Cayce,  Elder,  S.  F.  (1850-1905)  of 
Martin,  Tenn.  This  eminent  minister 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  joined  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church  1866,  ordained, 
1878,  traveled  a  great  deal,  engaged  in 
many  debates  and  died  at  his  post  in 
his  fifty-fifth  year  of  age,  while  attend- 
ing the  Collins  River  Association,  near 
McMinnville,  Tenn.  while  preaching  on 
the  subject  of  the  resurrection.,  he  was 
stricken  and  died  abouc  5  p.  m.,  the 
same  day.  Before  leaving  home  he 
seemed  to  have  a  premonition  of  death. 
He  asked  his  son  Claud,  if  he  would 
take  up  his  work  where  he  would  soon 
leave  off  and  conduct  it  as  he  had 
done.  Elder  Cayce  was  truly  a  noble  and 
useful  man.  He'  was  the  founder  of 
the  Primitive  Baptist,  and  with  tongue 
and  pen  was  an  able  defender  of  the 
truth.  Though  an  earnest  defender  of 
the  faith  once  delivered  unto  the 
saints  yet  he  was  meek,  humble,  gentle, 
tender  and  loving.  His  moral  char- 
acter was  spotless,  his  conversation 
chaste  and  his  manners  refined.  There 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


61 


were  many  especial  acts  of  the  citi- 
zens of  Martin,  Tenn.,  his  native  town, 
which  show  more  strongly  than  any- 
thing else  could  have  shown  the  es- 
teem, love  and  worth  in  which  he  was 
held.  Every  business  house  in  town 
closed  its  doors;  and  the  other  denomi- 
nations had  their  bells  tolled.  Also  the 
bells  of  both  colleges,  the  Methodist 
and  Missionary  Baptist,  were  tolled, 
and  on  the  doors  of  the  Methodist 
church  mourning  was  placed  both 
Monday  and  Tuesday,  and  on  Tues- 
day their  appointment  for  preaching 
was  called  in,  their  protracted  meeting 
having  begun  on  Monday  night.  These 
acts  of  friendship  by  so  many  differ- 
ent denominations  and  business  men, 
were  a  great  comfort  to  the  bereaved 
and  broken-hearted  family.  Remarks 
eulogistic  of  the  character  and  stand- 
ing of  Elder  Cayce  were  made  by  Eld- 
ers E.  B.  Simmons,  J.  Harvey  Daily 
M.  A.  Hackworth,  J.  V.  Kirkland,  G.  T. 
Mayo,  all  of  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church;  Revs.  J.  R.  Bell,  E.  H.  Stewart 
and  A.  E.  Scott  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Whitson  of 
the  Missionary  Baptist  Church;  Dr. 
James  Balaam  Stephens,  Hon.  J.  O. 
Vincent,  and  Miss  Mayme  Miller,  a 
very  dear  friend  of  the  family,  who 
touched  on  the  character  and  worth 
of  the  deceased  in  a  most  beautiful 
and   feeling   way. 


C.   H.  CAYCE. 

Cayce,  Elder  C.  H.,  was  born  June  1, 
1871  in  Moscow,  Ky.  On  September 
23,  1891  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lula 
Jenkins,  at  her  home  near  Martin, 
Tenn.,  where  he  now  lives.  He  joined 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Green- 


field, Tenn.,  in  August  1S89,  and  was 
baptized  by  his  father,  Elder  S.  F. 
Cayce  in  September,  1889.  He  made 
his  first  public  effort  in  1890,  liberated 
to  exercise  his  gift  the  same  year,  and 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
try in  December,  1896.  He  has  served 
the  following  churches  as  pastor,  Buf- 
falo, Martin  (his  home  church),  Har- 
mony, Blooming  Grove,  Union  and 
Shiloh.  He  has  preached  in  every 
county  in  West  Tennessee  except  Ben- 
ton and  Lake,  in  'a  majority  of  the  coun- 
ties of  Middle  Tennesee,  traveled  ex- 
tensively in  Kentucky,  Ohio,  Indiana.. 
Illinois,  Missouri,  Arkansas,  Oklahoma, 
Texas,  Louisiana,  Mississippi,  Ala- 
bama, Georgia,  and  Florida.  Some 
years  traveling  as  much  as  10,000  miles. 
He  has  had  ten  debates  with  Camp- 
bellites  two  with  Missionary  Baptists 
and  one  with  the  Mormons,  and  has 
baptized  between  200  and  300  people. 
He  began  working  in  his  father's  print- 
ing office  September  1,  1886,  and  has 
held  every  position  up  to  editor.  He 
began  editing  the  Primitive  Baptist  in 
1905,  on  the  death  of  his  father  and 
has  been  successful  with  this  paper, 
the  list  increasing  since  then  from  6,500 
to  10,000  yearly  subscribers. 


STEPHEN   CHANDLER. 

Chandler,  Elder  Stephen,  born  Sep- 
tember 15,  1808,  and  died  1850.  He  uni- 
ted with  the  church  in  1S2S,  and  began 
preaching  the  same  year.  He  faithful- 
ly served  four  churches  most  of  his 
ministerial  life.  Among  those  he  was 
pastor  of  were  Flat  River,  Ebenezer, 
Stone's  Creek  and  Wheelers  in  Pear- 
son County,  N.  C.  He  also  lived  for  a 
few  years  in  Edgecombe  County.  When 
not  serving  his  churches  he  taught 
school  and  labored  on  his  farm,  and 
was  noted  for  his  industry.  He  was  a 
gifted  preacher. 


W.  A.  CHASTAIN. 

Chastain,  Elder  W.  A.,  of  Springfield, 
111.,  was  born  near  Campbellsburg, 
Ind.,  August  12,  1877.  From  his  ear- 
liest recollection  he  had  a  desire  to  be 
classed  as  a  good  boy.  In  his  four- 
teenth year  he  was  convicted  of  sin, 
made  to  see  that  all  self-righteousness 
and  moral  goodness  was  but  as  filthy 
rags  in  God's  sight  when  depended  up- 
on for  justification  and  though  young 
in  years  he  was  stripped  of  all  self- 
dependence  and  given  a  hope  in  Jesus. 
About  two  years  later,  July  1893,  he 
lunited    with    Old    Union    Church    in 


62 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Washington  County,  Ind.,  the  church 
of  his  father,  and  was  baptized  by  Eld- 
er W.  E.  Radcliff.  His  mother  was 
baptized  the  same  day  and  he  has 
since  baptized  his  sister  into  the  fel- 
lowship of  this  dear  old  church.  Soon 
after  joining  he  became  deeply  con- 
cerned about  his  duty  as  a  witness  for 
Jesus,  was  encouraged  by  his  pastor, 


W     A.    CHASTAIN 

Elder  Radcliff,  and  began  preaching 
in  1896,  and  was,  in  January,  1899, 
ordained  to  the  ministerial  work.  Elder 
Chastain  has  traveled  and  preached 
in  many  of  the  states  and  has  been 
favorably  received.  In  1890  he  re- 
vised and  compiled  the  manuscripts  of 
Elder  Benjamin  Lampton.  This  book 
is  of  unusual  interest  to  all  lovers  of 
Bible  truth. 


F.   A.  CHICK. 

Chick,  Elder  F.  A.,  of  Hopewell,  N.  J., 
was  born  in  the  township  of  Embden, 


Somerset  County,  Maine,  August  10, 
1845.  His  father  was  Abraham  Chick, 
and  his  mother  was  Betsey  Quint,  a 
sister  of  Elder  William  Quint,  who  was 
pastor  of  the  church  at  North  Berwick, 
Maine,  for  more  than  forty  years  and 
whose  sister,  Mary,  was  the  wife  of 
the  late  Elder  William  J.  Purington. 
The  subject  of  this  memoir  spent  the 
early  years  of  his  life  in  Somerset 
County,  Maine.  Prom  boyhood  he  was 
fond  of  reading  and  study  and  then 
formed  habits,  which  have  followed 
him  all  his  life  since.  His  parents  were 
anxious  that  he  should  acquire  a  good 
education  and  did  all  that  they  could 
to  advance  this  object.  In  all  the  com- 
munity in  which  they  lived,  none  com- 
manded more  respect  and  love.  They 
were  humble,  honest,  industrious,  and 
God  fearing  people.  From  early  child- 
hood, Elder  Chick  was  often  oppressed 
with  the  knov  ledge  of  his  own  sinful- 
ness before  God,  and  from  the  time  of 
about  eight  or  nine  years  of  age,  until 
the  age  of  sixteen,  there  was  but  little 
time  in  which  he  was  not  anxious  about 
the  future  of  his  soul.  Although  na- 
turally of  a  happy  and  cheerful  dispo- 
sition when  in  company,  he  spent  many 
days  and  nights  mourning  and  longing 
for  rest  in  the  Lord.  The  Bible  was  his 
frequet  companion,  and  religious  books 
were  much  read  by  him.  Like  all  who 
have  been  called  by  grace  he  found  ho 
peace  or  rest  in  his  own  promises  or 
obedience,  and  at  last,  came  to  the 
place  where  all  hope  failed,  and  he  Was 
in  despair.  It  was  then,  after  some 
months  of  deep  anxiety,  unrelieved  by 
one  ray  of  light,  when  just  past  his 
sixteenth  birthday,  that  it  pleased  Al- 
mighty God  to  appear  for  his  relief  and 
to  reveal  Jesus  unto  him  as  the  one 
perfect  and  spotless  Saviour  and  His 
redemption  as  a  finished  redemption. 
The  revelation  of  the  t  uth  was  clear, 
although  his  rejoicing  was  not  so  great, 
as  has  been  the  case  with  some.  But 
the  faith  begotten  in  his  heart  at  that 
time,  has  abided  with  him.  One  year 
from  this  time,  for  the  first  time  in  his 
life,  it  was  his  privilege  to  hear  from 
the  lips  of  Elder  William  Quint,  the 
first  gospel  sermon  that  had  ever  fallen 
upon  his  ears  from  the  text,  "Except  a 
man  be  born  again,  he  cannot  see  the 
kingdom  of  heaven."  One  year  later, 
at  North  Berwick  Maine,  he  was  bap- 
tized in  the  fellowship  of  the  church 
by  Elder  Quint.  In  February,  1866,  he 
spoke  in  the  way  of  preaching  for  the 
first  time  from  the  words  found  in 
Luke,  Chapter  12,  verse  32,  at  a  school- 
house  in  North  Berwick,  Maine.  Since 
that  time  he  has  been  constantly  en- 
gaged in  the  ministry  of  the  word  and 
was   in    September,   1868.   ordained   to 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


63 


the  full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  by 
Elders  Philander  Hartwell,  W,  J.,  Pur- 
ington,  William  Quint,  Hiram  Camp- 
hell,  John  A.  Badger  and  J.  N.  Badger. 
Immediately  after  his  ordination  he 
was  called  to  the  care  of  the  Ebenezer 
Church  in  Baltimore  City,  and  the 
Black  Rock  and  Patapsco  Chu  ches  in 
Baltimore  County,  Md.  These  churches 
he  served  for  twenty-eight  years.  By 
far  the  larger  portion  of  this  time  he 
served  the  Shiloh  Church  in  Washing- 
ton City  D.  C,  as  a  supply.  In  1896, 
the  church  at  Hopewell,  N.  J.,  after  the 
death  of  their  former  pastor,  Elde:' 
Wm.  J.  Purington,  called  Elder  Chick 
to  become  their  pastor.  After  some  de- 
liberation he  accepted  the  call  and 
since  June  of  that  year  has  served 
that  church,  together  with  the  second 
Hopewell  church  a  few  miles  away. 
November  28,  1894,  Elder  Chick  be- 
came one  of  the  editors  of  the  "Signs 
of  the  Times,"  published  at  Middle- 
town,  N.  Y„  the  oldest  among  all  the 
papers  published  in  support  of  the 
Old  School  Baptist  cause  in  this  coun- 
try. The  preaching  of  the  gospel  has 
been  the  one  great  desire  and  aim  of 
his  life  for  more  than  forty  years,  and 
it  can  be  well  said  of  him  that  he  is  an 
able  defender  of  the  doctrines  of  our 
Lord  Jesus,  a  forciful  speaker,  fluent 
writer  and  a  lovely,  useful  man. 


JOHN   M.  CHRISTIAN. 

Christian,  Elder,  John  M.,  of  Pierce, 
Ala.,  was  born  September  5,  1841,  grew 
up  an  Arminian,  and  went  so  far  try- 
ing to  establish  his  own  righteousness 
that  he  thought  it  a  sin  to  even  drink 
coffee.  Yet  the  first  serious  impression 
he  had  on  religion  was  while  in  the 


army,  was  convicted  of  sin  while  in 
prison  and  after  much  sorrow  of  mind 
was  sweetly  relieved  and  made  to  love 
Jesus  as  his  Saviour.  On  his  return 
home  he  united  with  the  Missionary 
Baptist  church,  lived  with  them  about 
fourteen  years  and  labored  in  their 
Sunday  schools  and  societies.  He  be- 
came convinced  of  the  errors  he  was 
teaching,  left  them  and  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists,  was  liberated  to 
exercise  his  gift  and  soon  ordained  to 
the  full  work  of  the  ministry.  The  Lord 
has  blessed  his  labors  in  the  service  of 
his  home  church.  Though  he  has  been 
greatly  afflicted  he  remains  faithful  in 
his  love  for  the  church. 


ISAIAH    CLABAUGH. 

Clabaugh,  Elder  Isaiah,  was  born  in 
Hancock  County,  Ohio,  November  18, 
1841  and  died  September  29,  1905,  pro- 
fessed a  hope  in  Christ  and  united  with 
the  Friendship  Church  of  Primitive 
Baptists  in  Knox  County,  111.,  in  the 
year  1860.  Was  impressed  to  speak  in 
public  of  the  mercies  of  God  to  poor 
sinners  and  was  on  May  10,  1873  (be- 
ing then  a  member  of  the  Blue  River 
Church  of  Page  County,  Neb.),  ordain- 
ed to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry. 
After  which  he  moved  to  the  state  of 
Missouri  and  settled  within  the  bounds 
of  Rock  Creek  Church,  of  which  he 
was  a  member  and  faithful  pastor  for 
about  29  years.  He  was  great'y  beloved 
by  his  brethren,  was  a  noble  pastor, 
ever  watchful  of  the  interests  of  the 


64 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


church,  a  great  pacifier  in  time  of 
trouble.  In  a  word  he  was  a  man  of 
peace,  ever  gentle,  kind,  forbearing 
and  forgiving,  yet  firm  and  faithful.  In 
and  out  of  the  pulpit  he  was  meek  and 
humble,  had  no  desire  fo  '  preferment 
above  his  brother  ministers  and  was 
free  from  a  hateful  spirit  of  jealousy. 
In  his  ministry  he  knew  nothing  but 
the  mercy  of  God  in  the  salvation  of 
sinners.  He  was  a  deep  thinker,  an 
able,  lovely  writer  and  at  the  lime 
of  his  death  was  on  the  editorial  staff 
of  the   Banner  of  Peace. 


JOSEPH   CLAPP. 

Clapp,  Elder  Joseph,  of  Appleton. 
Mo.  Failing  to  secure  data  from  which 
to  prepare  a  sketch  of  Elder  Clapp,  the 
following  notice  from  Elder  Cash's 
book  is  herewith  given.  "Elder  G'.app 
was  born  in  Clark  County,  111.,  Septem- 
ber 13,  1843,  and  united  with  Provi- 
dence Church  in  March,  1866.  He  was 
ordained  October  18,  1890,  and  is  at 
present,  1896,  the  pastor  of  one 
church." 


HENRY   CLARK. 

Clark,  Elder  Henry,  (1791-1841),  was 
born  on  the  western  frontier  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  was  indebted  to  the  exer- 
tions of  his  poor  but  pious  mother, 
for  a  common  education.  He  was  bap- 
tized in  Philadelphia  in  1807,  and 
called  to  preach  the  gospel  for  the 
Shamokin  Church,  when  about  the  age 


of  twenty-one  years.  He  was  afterwards 
pastor,  for  some  years,  of  the  Little 
Muncy  Church;  and  subsequently  of 
the  Loyalsock  Church.  In  1821,  Elders 
Smiley,  Woolverton  and  Clark  organ- 
ized the  Northumberland  Particular 
Baptist  Association.  Elder  Clark  was 
a  zealous  predestinarian.  He  preached 
a  finished,  unconditional  salvation, 
maintaining  to  the  last  an  unyielding 
opposition  to  the  new  plans  of  making 
proselytes  by  means  of  money  and  mis- 
sions. 


JOHN  CLARK. 

Clark,  Elder  John,  of  Va.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  memoir  was  born  in 
Orange  County,  Va.,  on  Clark's  Moun- 
tain, July  4,  1804,  where  he  spent  many 
of  his  younger  days.  Being  blessed 
with  a  good  constitution,  a  strong  mind 
and  great  energy,  he  began  early  the 
battle  of  life  forming  habits  of  in- 
dustry which  never  forsook  him.  He 
learned  the  business  of  millwright  and 
bridge-building,  in  which  he  became 
a  proficient.  He  erected  tne  first  bridge 
across  the  Rappahannock  river  at 
Fredericksburg,  and  many  other  crea- 
tions of  his  genius  stand  today  to  testi- 
fy of  his  skill.  Some  years  after  build- 
ing the  bridge  referred  to,  he  was  ap- 
plied to  to  repair  it,  in  the  prosecution 
of  which  he  was  thrown  from  the  top 
some  twenty  or  thirty  feet  below  upon 
a  pile  of  stone,  from  which  he  was  tak- 
en more  dead  than  alive,  but  was  pre- 
served by  Providence  for  future  use- 
fulness. The  Lo"d  Jesus  having  need 
of  him  in  another  direction,  called  him 
by  his  grace  to  a  knowledge  of  heaven- 
ly things.  Being  impressed  that  it  was 
his  duty  to  make  a  public  profession  of 
His  Name,  he  offered  himself  to  the 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


65 


church  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Dan- 
iel Davis  in  1829.  He  was  ordained  in 
1831  by  Elders  R.  B.  Semple,  L.  W.  Bat- 
tle and  A.  H.  Bennett  and  commenced 
the  work  of  the  ministry  with  only 
advantages  of  a  common  school  educa- 
tion, but  being  possessed  of  a  fine  mind 
a  retentive  memory  and  a  zeal  which  is 
of  God,  became  a  good  scholar,  not  only 
mastering  to  a  great  extent  his  mother 
tongue,  but  pressed  his  researches  far 
into  the  Latin,  Greek  and  Hebrew  lan- 
guages, acquiring  a  large  amount  of 
useful  information,  and  aided  by  the 
Holy  Spirit,  was  enabled  to  stand  up 
amid  opposing  elements  and  show  his 
opinion,  which  always  elicited  respect 
from  the  wise  and  good.  Upon  the 
threshold  of  his  Christian  life  he  es- 
poused the  doctrine  of  salvation  by 
grace  to  the  exclusion  of  all  others. 
He  raised  the  standard  with  Jesus  and 
Him  crucified  inscribed  upon  all  its 
ample  folds.  By  it  he  stood  with  his 
heart  and  finger  ever  raised  to  this 
motto,  which  embodied  all  that  he  de- 
desired  to  preach.  His  labors  in  his 
Masters'  vineyard  were,  perhaps,  more 
abundant  than  any  minister's  in  his 
native  state.  Besides  the  ordinary 
routine  of  duties  when  at  home,  he  sup- 
plied monthly,  five  churches,  besides 
several  other  preaching  places,  and 
attending  many  funerals  and  mar- 
riages. Obeying  many  calls  to  go 
to  the  'regions  beyond'  he  took  long 
preaching  tours  to  many  of  the  states 
of  the  union,  considering  himself  the 
servant  of  all.  He  commenced  the  pub- 
lication of  Zion's  Advocate  in  1853  and 
was  editor  over  twenty-eight  years, 
and  has  left  behind  him  a  vast  amount 
of  solid  information.  He  was  the  edi- 
tor and  compiler  of  the  Ebenezer  Hymn 
Book,  which  was  first  published  in 
1856.  Before  his  death  he  had  the 
fifth  edition  out.  He  was  truly  an  able 
minister  of  the  New  Testament  and 
,  was  looked  upon  by  some  as  the  lead- 
J  ing  minister  of  the  Old  School  Bap- 
tist in  Virginia.  All  these  things,  too 
heavy  sometimes  for  weaker  minds, 
never  for  a  moment  made  him  anything 
else  than  what  he  really  was — a  meek, 
humble  and  sympathizing  spirit.  As 
pastor  he  presided  over  his  flock  with 
dignity  and  affection.  Their  cares  and 
comforts  were  his.  The  feeble  as  well 
as  the  strong  found  in  him  a  friend  and 
father.  He  gave  evidence  that  he  was 
set  for  the  defense  of  the  gospel  and 
faithfully  did  he  guard  the  treasure 
until  he  was  called  upon  by  his  Lord 
to  lay  down  his  armor.  A  short  time 
before  his  death  he  gave  many  direc- 
tions about  his  earthly  affairs,  spoke 
many  comforting  words  to  those 
around   ,   and  when   near  the   end,  in 


communion  with  his  God,  he  was  heard 
to  say,  "My  Father,  my  Saviour,  my 
precious  Redeemer,"  many,  many 
times  repeating  Scripture  and  hymns 
and  in  constant  prayer.  When  asked 
what  he  needed,  said:  "Rest,  rest." 
Soon  his  Father  gave  it.  A  stupor 
came  upon  him,  from  which  he  could 
not  be  aroused,  and  he  died  in  the  full 
triumph  of  faith,  November  9,  1882. 


S 


WILDE   C.   CLEVELAND. 

Cleveland,  Elder  Wilde  C,  was  born 
on  April  9,  1836,  in  Crawford  County, 
Ga.,  near  Mt.  Carmel  Primitive  Bap- 
tich  Church,  where  he  joined  by  exper- 
ience and  was  baptised  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  same  by  his  father,  Elder 
Cromwell  W.  Cleveland,  in  I860.  And 
there,  also,  he  was  ordained  a  minister 
of  the  gospel  in  1873,  by  Elders  Samuel 
Bentley,  John  Dickey,  Alfred  King,  and 
D.  W.  Simmons.  He  then  served  that 
church  and  three  others  near  around 
as  pastor  for  thirty  odd  years,  or  until 
his  last  illness  prevented.  As  pastor, 
he  was  punctual  and  unselfish  untiring 
and  faithful,  rain  or  shine,  if  physically 
able,  he  not  only  attended  his  regular 
meetings,  but  also  visited  the  sick  and 
afflicted,  and  ministered  to  those  in 
prison.  Thus  an  example  to  his  flocks 
in  practical  godliness,  he  provoked 
them  to  love  and  to  good  works.  They 
supplied  him  with  all  necessary  carnal 
things,  which  in  turn  doubtless  made 
his  labors  for  them  a  pleasing  free-will 
offering.  But  his  greater  ability  was 
displayed  in  defense  of  our  doctrine,  to 
which  he  brought  all  the  powers  and  re- 
sources of  his  mighty  mind.  His  natur- 
al powers  of  eloquence  and  oratory 
made  his  sermons  not  only  attractive 
and  interesting  to  those  who  differed 
from    him    in    doctrine,    but   also    con- 


66 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


vincing,  inspiring  and  upbuilding  to  the 
believer  by  their  sublime  logical  deduc- 
tions from  scriptural  truths.  His  grand 
yet  nice  distinction  between  law  and 
gospel — works  and  grace — were  simply 
wonderful,  and  especially  was  he  gifted 
in  making  those  nice  discriminations 
on  points  dividing  us  from  others,  not 
only  in  doctrine,  but  also  in  missionary 
operations,  not  only  clear  but 
without  offense.  He  endeavored  to 
give  no  offense  to  the  church  nor  the 
world,  so  that  he  might  gain  the  more. 
If  a  man  differed  from  him  religiously 
he  remembered  he  differed  from  that 
man  religiously,  making  them  equal 
and  he  was  ready  to  take  what  he  gave. 
So  that  while  he  would  strike  home 
with  all  the  might  and  boldness  of  his 
strong  convictions  of  truth  as  he  be- 
lieved it,  he  never  hurt  one  personally, 
for  he  fought  principles  and  not  per- 
sons. And  all  denominations  respected 
him,  as  knowing  him  to  be  sincere  and 
without  guile.  Another  admirable  and 
lovable  trait  in  all  his  character,  was 
that  so  soon  as  he  was  convinced  of  er- 
ror in  belief  or  words  spoken  unadvis- 
edly, or  to  the  hurt  of  another,  he  not 
only  turned  from  it  at  once,  but  also 
confessed  it  openly,  and  none  were  too 
low  for  him  to  stoop  to  them  in  confes- 
sion and  asking  pardon — if  need  be. 
Thus  he  manifested  the  touching  gen- 
tleness of  a  guileless  heart — the  sweet 
simplicity  of  a  child.  After  he  attained 
to  manhood  and  graduated  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Georgia,  he  studied  law  and 
practiced  it  four  years,  and  also  served 
as  captain  of  a  company  and  colonel  of 
a  regiment.  But  when  ordained  to  the 
ministry  he  gave  up  all  else  to  fulfill 
this  high  calling — "the  highest  and 
most  honorab?e  calling  and  position  in 
the  world,"  he  called  it;  and  to  which 
he  bent  all  his  energies,  making  it 
secondary  to  nothing,  so  long  as  he 
lived.  Surely  he  deserved  the  plaudit 
"Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant!" 
He  died  at  his  home  at  Culloden,  Ga., 
October  31,  1905. 


JOHN  CLINE. 


Cline,  Elder  John,  of  Des  Moines, 
Iowa,  was  born  April  8,  1830.  His  father 
was  a  Virginian  and  served  under 
Washington  in  the  war  for  in- 
dependence, his  mother,  Elizabeth 
McClaskey,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
daughter  of  Col.  Joseph  McClaskey, 
who  was  under  General  Jackson  at 
New  Orleans.  At  the  age  of  ten  years 
he  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  hear  a 
Baptist  preacher,  was  deeply  impress- 
ed, and  made  to  feel  if  he  could  tell 


the  sweet  story  of  Jesus  like  this  old 
preacher  he  would  give  all  the  world. 
For  the  next  ten  years  of  his  life  he 
served  Moses — laboring  to  keep  the 
law  perfectly,  and  when  about  twenty- 
one,  he  united  with  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterians  and  felt  he  was  all  right 
with  God,  was  a  leader  at  the  prayer 
meetings  and  hating  all  who  did  not 
run  with  him,  especially  the  Old  School 
Baptist.  Like  Saul  he  was  willing  to 
persecute  them  even  to  his  utmost 
ability  and  verily  thought  he  was  doing 
God's  service,  and  like  Saul  was  also 
wonderfully  convicted  and  truly  con- 
verted, and  made  to  preach  the  very 
doctrine  he  tried  to  destroy.  After 
many  months  of  deep  conviction  he 
was  given  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus,  united 
with  the  Point  Creek  Church  and  was 
in  a  few  years  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry.  Elder  Cline  is 
now  (1908)  seventy-eight  years  old  and 
writes  me"My  eyes  are  not  dim  nor 
my  mental  abilities  abated.  I  desire 
to  press  on  preaching  Jesus — Nothing 
but  Jesus."  He  has  for  eighteen  years 
lived  in  the  city  of  Des  Moines,  where 
he  is  surrounded  by  the  stylish  and 
fashionable  religion  of  the  world,  but 
none  of  these  things  move  him,  nor 
cause  him  to  swerve  from  his  Shep- 
herd, and  the  foot-steps  of  the  flock. 


JACOB  CLOUD. 

Cloud,  Elder  Jacob,  of  Nevada,  Mo., 
is  a  useful  and  much  beloved  minister. 
Though  he  has  for  more  than  thirty 
years  traveled  much  among  Baptists 
and  faithfully  served  the  cause  of  truth 
he  modestly  says  of  himself:  "I  was 
born  in  the  state  of  Tennessee,  July  16, 
18S3.  I  came  to  Missouri  in  1852,  and 
a  year  later  it  was  my  happy  lot  to  re- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


67 


ceive  a  precious  hope  in  the  crucified 
Redeemer,  after  a  long  and  deep  con- 
trition of  heart  on  account  of  my  sins. 
Jesus,  who  often  spoke  of  coming  into 
our  hearts,  appeared  in  my  room, 
bringing  love  and  peace,  and  making 
me  feel  free  from  sin  and  guilt,  for  a 
few  days  thereafter.  I  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Wl  H.  Mahurin,  of  Arkansas,  on 
New  Year's  day,  1854,  and  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in 
1877.  Farming  was  my  occupation  till 
1880.  Since  then  I  have  traveled  in  ten 
of  our  states  and  Indian  Territory  in 
defense  of  the  doctrine  and  order  of 
Christ's  church,  and  my  preaching  has 
been  received  by  Bible  Baptists,  and  a 
few  times  (comparatively)  I  have  had 
ease  of  mind  and  the  dear  Master's  ap- 
proval. Of  late  years  I  have  been 
much  afflicted  and  frail,  proving  that 
the  outward  man  must  perish  as  the 
years  go  by,  but  the  inward  man  is 
most  graciously  and  surprisingly  sus- 
tained by  the  invisible  power  of  Him 
who  created  him  in  the  image  of  the 
Divine." 

J.  T.  COATS. 

Coats,  Elder  J.  T.,  of  Coats,  N.  C. 
This  humble,  faithful  and  unassuming 
minister,  is  and  has  been  for  years, 
Moderator1  of  the  Little  River  Primitive 
Baptist  Association.  He  has  for  many 
years  been  an  able  minister  of  the 
New  Testament  and  is  now  the  beloved 
pastor  of  Fellowship,  New  Hope  and 
Mt.  Zion  churches. 


COCKRAM. 


Cockram,  Elder  J.  D.,  of  Woolwine, 
Va.,  is  a  native  of  Floyd  County  and  has 
for   thirteen   years    been    preaching    a 


finished  and  complete  salvation  in 
Jesus  for  all  the  elect.  He  was  early 
in  life  made  to  feel  the  exceeding  sin- 
fulness of  sin  and  given  a  desire  to  op- 
pose it  in  self  and  in  others,  and  daily 
prayed  that  God  might  deliver  him 
from  gloomy  despair  and  use  him  for 
some  good  in  the  world.  At  or  about 
the  age  of  twelve  years  he  was  given  a 
rest  in  Jesus  and  ceased  from  his  own 
labors  for  justification,  and  about  this 
time  was  deeply  impressed  to  publish 
Jesus  to  others.  The  burden  of  his 
prayer  was  "Lord,  if  I  must  be  a  teach- 
er in  Israel  give  me  wisdom;  O  above 
everything  give  me  wisdom."  And 
there  was  an  assurance  within  as  of  a 
voice  saying,  "Multiplying  I  will  multi- 
ply thee,  and  blessing  I  will  bless  thee." 
Elder  Cockram  is  a  gifted  preacher 
and  an  able  writer.  He  is  editor  of 
Spiritual  Law  Counsel  a  monthly  per- 
iodical published  at  Bona,  Virginia, 
and  has  also  written  and  published  a 
very  interesting  book  entitled,  "The 
Celestial  and  Terrestrial  or  Spiritual 
Law  in  the  Natural  Kingdom." 


ACHILLES   COFFEY. 

Coffey,  Elder  Achilles,  of  Kentucky, 
was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ky.,  July 
30,  1806.  In  1813  the  time  of  the  Brit- 
ish war,  his  parents  moved  to  the  terri- 
tory of  Indiana,  Jefferson  County,  and 
settled  four  miles  from  the  fort.  Here 
they  suffered  many  privations,  and  for 
many  years  they  moved  from  place 
to  place,  sometimes  seeking  more  suit- 
ble  locality,  some  time  fleeing  from  the 
red  men.  During  all  this  time  they 
were  almost  entirely  destitute  of  any 
means  of  education.  And  yet  strange 
as  it  may  seem,  Elder  Coffey,  who  was 
raised  among  the  savages  and  wild 
beasts,  procured  sufficient  education 
and  knowledge  to  write  a  history  of  the 
Baptists,  which  is  known  as  "Coffey's 
History,"  and  is  of  recognized  worth. 
He  made  a  profession  of  religion  early 
in  youth  and  attached  himself  to  the 
Baptist  Church  before  the  division  with 
the  New  School  or  Missionary  Bap- 
tist. Believing  the  Bible,  and  the  Bible 
alone,  to  be  the  only  rule  of  faith  and 
practice  and  being  utterly  opposed  to 
the  inventions  of  men  in  the  affairs  of 
religion,  he  stood  firm  on  the  principles 
upon  which  the  church  was  founded. 
By  his  unswerving  fidelity  to  the 
Apostles'  doctrine,  he  rendered  much 
service  to  the  cause  of  truth.  There 
was  no  man  that  stood  higher  among 
the  Baptists  of  Southern  Illinois  than 
did  Elder  Coffey;  and  not  only  among 
them,  but  was  a  man  of  good  report 


68 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


with  them  that  are  without.  After  a 
long  and  useful  life  he  fell  asleep 
March  10,  1883. 


THOMAS  COLE. 

Cole,  Elder  Thomas,  of  Amanda,  O., 

was  born  February  15,  1828,  and  grew 
up  in  sin  and  in  love  with  it  but  while 
running  after  the  riches  of  the  world 
and  feasting  on  their  future  posses- 
sions, he  was,  one  day  in  1855,  while 
alone  at  work  in  the  field,  convicted  of 
sin  and  the  vanities  of  the  world.  His 
conviction  was  deep,  his  condemnation 
clear  and  for  about  two  years  he  labor- 
ed under  the  curse  and  was  made  to 
feel  that  all  good  works  of  men  were 
as  filthy  rags  in  God's  sight  in  the  mat- 
ter of  justification  before  Him.  But 
Jesus  was  revealed  to  him;  he  united 
with  the  Old  School  Baptist  Church  in 
1858  and  in  1876  was  ordained  to  gos- 
pel ministry.  He  is  now  in  his  eighty- 
first  year,  and  though  feeble  in  body  is 
strong  in  faith  and  desires  to  finish 
his  course  with  joy. 


H.   V.   COLE. 

Cole,  Elder  H.  V.,  of  Simpsons,  Va., 
was  born  June  7, 1853 ;  reared  by  Chris- 
tian parents  and  taught  morality,  truth- 
fulness and  honesy  and  though  he  often 
had  serious  thoughts  of  hell  and 
heaven,  life  and  death  he  felt  he  was 
not  so  bad — not  in  much  danger — in 
fact  felt  his  case  much  better  than 
some  who  were  members  of  the  church, 
but  God  convicted  him  of  his  natural, 
Pharisaical  religion,  showed  him  the  de- 
ceitfulness  and  wicked  state  of  the  nat- 
ural heart;  weaned  him  from  self  and 


self-righteousness  and  gave  him  a 
sweet  hope  in  Jesus.  He,  with  his 
wife,  Tempy  (Lawrence)  Cole,  to  whom 
he  was  married  in  1877,  and  who  had 
for  some  time  had  a  hope,  united  with 
Laurel  Creek  Church,  October,  1894, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Amos  Dick- 
erson.     About  one  year  later  he  began 


H.   V.   COLE 

to  speak  of  Jesus  publicly  and  was  soon 
after  ordained,  and  now  has  the  care 
of  Laurel  Creek,  Pine  Creek,  Salem 
and  Valley  View  Churches  the  last  two 
in  connection  with  other  brethren.  Eld- 
er Cole  desires  to  preach  Jesus  as  the 
only  Saviour  of  sinners  and  to  abide 
in  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  the 
Apostles. 


J.   R.   COLLIER. 

Collier,  Elder  J.  R.,  of  Wealthy, 
Texas,  was  born  in  Monroe  County, 
Miss.,   January   3,    1850,   was   baptized 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


69 


into  the  fellowship  of  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  by  Elder  J.  T.  Blanch- 
ard,  at  Revelee  Church,  Logan  Coun- 
ty, Ark.,  1882,  and  was  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  in  Nacog- 
doches County,  Texas  in  1890.  Since 
his  ordination  Elder  Collier  has  had 
the  care  of  from  two  to  four  churches, 
is  a  loyal,  faithful  servant,  and  is 
satisfied  with  the  doctrine  of  God  our 
Saviour  and  the  practice  of  His  apos- 
tles.   


A.  J.  COLEMAN 


Coleman,  Elder  A.  J.,  of  Alabama, 
was  born  in  Abbeville  District,  S.  C, 
January  10,  1814,  and  died  in  Pickens 
County,  Ala.,  September  19,  1899.  In 
early  life  he  moved  to  Georgia,  where 
he  and  his  faithful  companion,  Mary 
(Smith)  Coleman,  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  1835,  united  with  the  Prim- 
itive Baptists.  Soon  he  moved  to  West 
Alabama,  was  ordained  to  the  minister- 
ial work  early  in  life  and  for  about 
fifty-five  years  was  a  faithful  and  per- 
haps, 'the  leading  minister,  among 
Primitive  Baptists  in  West  Alabama. 
A  man  of  strong  nature,  of  deep,  ear- 
nest and  sincere  convictions,  gentle  as 
a  child  and  bold  as  a  lion,  ready-witted 
and  humorous,  as  a  young  preacher  he 
was  the  idol  of  his  brethren  and  friends 
and  the  wonder  of  the  multitude.  He 
was  well  informed  in  the  scriptures 
and  wonderfully  gifted  of  God  in  inter- 
preting and  expounding  them  to  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  edification  of  all 
lovers  of  truth.  He  informed  himself 
in  the  past  history  of  the  church, 
and  had  a  mind  well  stored  with 
general  information,  and  his  in- 
terest in  acquiring  useful  infor- 
mation was  in  sharp  contrast  with 
some  in  our  day  who  speak  disparag- 
ingly of  such  things.     He  was  well-to- 


do  in  ante-bellum  days,  and  always 
took  a  lively  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
his  country  and  was  a  staunch  Demo- 
crat, and,  by  solicitation,  represented 
his  county  fourteen  years  in  the  legis- 
lature of  Alabama,  and  his  senatorial 
district  one  session,  and  some  have 
said  that  he  was  the  best  stump  speak- 
er they  ever  heard.  He  was  what  men 
called  a  brilliant  man  and  in  the  prime 
of  his  noble  manhood,  and  the  most 
active  part  of  his  ministry  people  of  all 
creeds  and  no  creeds  are  said  to  have 
nocked  in  vast  crowds  to  hear  him.  It 
is  said  that  his  presentation  of  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  was  wonderful 
and  his  arraignment  of  error  and  of 
Babylon  was  fearful  to  their  devotees. 
Some  would  get  mad  and  affirm  that 
they  would  never  hear  him  again; 
nevertheless  they  would  continue  to  go 
and  hear  him.  Satisfied  with  the  sim- 
plicity which  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  op- 
posed all  human  merit  as  a  means  of 
eternal  salvation,  and  all  innovation 
upon  the  practice  of  the  primitive  or 
apostolic  church,  and  all  the  secret  so- 
cieties of  men  as  a  means  of  moral  im- 
provement. He  was  a  little  below  the 
medium  in  height  and  weight;  posses- 
sed a  black,  penetrating  eye  and  a  per- 
sonal magnetism  which  seemed  to  just 
naturally  and  irristibly  draw  men  to 
him,  and  to  know  him  was  to  love 
him.  Humorous,  witty,  good-natured, 
and  at  times  awfully  solemn,  he  would 
at  one  time  have  you  convulsed  with 
laughter,  and  at  another  time  he  would 
have  you  in  tears.  His  humorous  and 
funny  tendency  was  doubtless  a  weak- 
ness, and  a  fault  which  he  often  con- 
fessed and  mourned  over,  but  it  did 
seem  to  be  as  excusable  in  him  as  any 
one.  Many  a  poor  soul  that  was  nearly 
dead  with  the  "blues,"  as  some  call 
them,  or  the  hysterics  has  been  made 
to  forget  them  on  the  approach  of  this 
great  and  good  man,  for  he  seemed  to 
carry  with  him  a  spirit  of  encourage- 
ment and  good  cheer.  He  seemed  ever 
ready,  and  had  a  word  for  everybody 
and  every  occasion.  Generous  almost 
to  a  fault,  he  was  ready  to  divide  the 
last  morsel  with  the  poor  and  afflicted, 
of  whatever  creed  or  color.  Having  a 
good  nerve,  he  seemed  almost  a  strang- 
er to  natural  fear.  His  ministerial  lab- 
ors were  confined  in  the  main  to  the 
bounds  of  the  Buttahachie  and  Pil- 
grim's Rest  Associations  and  to  those 
in  immediate  correspondence  with 
them.  Outside  of  these  bounds  he 
traveled  but  little.  The  counties  of 
Fayette,  Lamar,  Tuscaloosa,  Pickens, 
and  Greene  form  the  region  in  which 
he  labored  mostly,  and  it  is  quite  likely 
that  that  region  will  never  know  an- 
other A.  J.  Coleman.     He  was  an  able 


70 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


write:'  and  contributed  to  the  Signs  of 
the  Times  occasionally  and  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist,  published  at  Raleigh,  N. 
C.  After  the  death  of  Elder  Burwell 
Temple,  about  1870,  he  was  for  a 
number  of  years  editor  of  the  Primitive 

Baptist. 

I.  F.  COLEMAN. 

Coleman,  Elder  I.  F.,  of  Riffe, 
Wash.,  was  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry  August  20,  1904,  by  Eld- 
ers R.  B.  Langford,  I.  N.  Newkirk,  W. 
H.  Gilmore  and  F.  L.  Riffe.  He  is 
serving  churches  in  Washington, 
though  a  fuller  sketch  of  his  life  and 
labors  could  not  be  obtained. 


JOHN    S.   COLLINS. 

Collins,  Elder  John  S.,  died  at  his 
home  in  Arlington,  Tarrant  County, 
Texas,  January  9,  1895.  He  professed 
a  hope  in  Christ  in  1857,  and  joined 
the  Missionary  Baptist  church.  He 
taught  one  session  of  school,  and  then 
entered  the  Confederate  army  in  1861. 
He  was  taken  prisoner  twice,  and  con- 
fined in  Rockland  prison,  and  when 
discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war  had 
been  there  nineteen  months.  He 
preached  his  first  sermon  on  January 
1,  1867,  being  then  with  the  Mission- 
aries, and  remained  with  them  until 
1868.  He  then  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptists  at  Sardis,  Jackson  County, 
Ala.,  and  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  on  October  20, 
1873,  by  a  presbytery  composed  of 
Elders  Peter  'Maples,  Simeon  Hanck, 
Andrew  J.  Worm  and  John  Butler.  He 
moved  to  Texas  in  1879,  and  settled  in 
Anderson  County,  and  taught  school 
and  preached.  He  has  treveled  and 
preached  through  Texas,  and  most  of 
the  Southern  and  some  of  the  North- 
ern states.  He  was  apt  to  teach,  an 
able  defender  of  gospel  truth,  and 
shunned  not  to  warn  the  church  when 
he  found  the  enemy  approaching.  He 
was  Moderator  of  the  Trinity  River 
Association  several  years,  and  was 
clerk   at   the   time  of  his   death. 


C.  H.  COLLINS. 

Collins,  Elder  C.  H.  (1836-1903),  of 
North  Carolina,  was  one  that  can  truth- 
fully have  applied  to  him  the  words, 
"He  fought  a  good  fight  and  kept  the 
faith."  He  united  with  Cross  Roads 
Church  in  his  twentieth  year,  was  li- 
censed to  preach  in  1870,  ordained  1872, 
and  began  to  serve  churches  soon  after- 
ward, which  he  attended  diligently, 
ever  striving  to  show  his  faith  by  his 
works.  He  was,  in  1900,  elected  Mod- 
erator of  the  Mountain  District  Asso- 


ciation, which  position  he  held  until 
his  death.  In  preaching,  his  theme 
was  salvation  by  grace,  and  a  walk  in 
life  that  would  adorn  such  a  glorious 

doctrine.  

JOSEPH  COLLINS. 

Collins,  Elder  Joseph,  was  the  son  of 
Joseph  and  Frances  Collins.  He  was 
born  on  the  15th  day  of  September. 
1835,  entered  the  Civil  war  at  an  early 
age  and  proved  a  faithful  soldier,  and 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at 
Castalia,  Nash  County,  N.  O,  on  the 
6th  of  June,  1874,  and  remained  a  faith- 
ful member  up  to  his  death.  He  was 
baptized  by  Elder  A.  J.  Moore  on  the 
7th  of  June,  1874.  The  church  soon 
saw  his  gift  and  called  for  his  ordina- 
tion to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  which 
was  done  on  the  first  Sunday  in  May, 
1SS9  by  Elders  Greenwood  and  B.  Will- 
iams. Elder  Collins  was  a  good  and 
kind  husband,  father  and  neighbor.  Al- 
though a  man  of  rural  habits,  unedu- 
cated, yet  he  was  a  forcible  and  soul 
stirring  preacher.  He  preached  regu- 
larly at  the  church  at  Castalia,  being 
pastor  of  same  as  long  as  he  lived  and 
also  at  times  at  other  churches,  and 
died  in  the  full  triumph  of  faith,  Jan- 
uary 8,  1901. 


Z.  J.  COMPTON. 


Compton,  Elder  Z.  J.,  (M.  D.),  son  of 

Howard  and  Elizabeth  Compton,  was 
born  near  the  foot  of  the  B'ue  Ridge 
mountains  in  Rappahannock  County, 
Va.,  January  19,  1801.  Notwithstanding 
his  lack  of  opportunity  for  education 
by  reason  of  distance  from  school  and 
necessity  of  working  on  the  farm  from 
early  youth  until  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  he  spent  every  moment  he  could 
spare  studying,  and  at  his  maturity 
was  well  qualified  to  engage  in  teach- 
ing school,  which  he  did  until  he  was 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


71 


ready  for  the  practice  of  medicine  and 
the  work  of  the  ministry.  His  entire 
time  as  a  student  at  school  was  about 
fourteen  months,  and  I  dare  say  that 
what  he  accomplished  in  that  short 
time  at  school  as  a  student  and  whilst 
teaching  would  put  to  shame 
many  of  our  present  day  college  grad- 
uates. He  was  modest  and  unostenta- 
tious but  thoroughly  posted  in  what  he 
taught  and  practiced.  He  was  a  man 
of  a  sweet  disposition,  beloved  by  all 
who  knew  him,  and  if  he  had  an  enemy 
at  all,  he  was  one  who  could  not  bear 
sound  doctrine.  The  doctrine  of  the 
Old  Order  of  Baptists  he  delighted  in 
and  proclaimed  it  from  the  pulpit  from 
early  youth  until  near  the  age  of  eighty- 
six.  He  was  not  eloquent  as  a  preacher, 
but  a  well  informed  one  and  spoke  with 
great  ease  and  was  truly  one  that 
needed  not  to  be  ashamed.  He  admin- 
istered to  the  people  both  as  a  physi- 
cian and  minister  whether  they  paid 
him  or  not,  and  very  little  money  was 
given  him  for  his  long,  faithful  service 
in  the  ministry  but  he  never  wavered 
or  faultered  in  duty,  because  others 
were  neglectful  of  their  duty  for  it  was 
not  for  money  that  he  preached,  but 
purely  the  cause  of  Christ.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-six  years,  Dr.  Compton  mar- 
ried E'iza  McKay,  daughter  of  Jere 
miah  McKay,  of  Page  County,  Va.  From 
this  union  fifteen  children  were  born. 
His  wife  died  some  ten  years  prior  to 
his  death,  and  he  lived  to  be  in  his 
eighty-sixth  year,  and  died  at  Benton- 
ville,  Warren  County,  Va.,  at  the  home 
of  his  son,  Dr.  J.  B.  Compton.  He 
fought  a  good  fight  and  finished  his 
course  with  joy. 


GABRIEL     CONKLIN. 

Conklin,  Elder  Gabriel,  of  New  Jer- 
sey, fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  April  28, 
1868,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  born  in  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.  At  an  early  period  of  life  his 
mind  was  drawn  from  the  vanities  of 
earth,  and  firmly  fixed  on  heavenly 
things.  He  was  baptized  in  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  New  Vernon  Church,  Oc- 
tober 17,  1824,  by  Elder  Thomas  B. 
Montange,  and  in  June  of  the  follow- 
ing year  was  chosen  deacon.  July  31, 
1830,  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and 
in  1831  was  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  gospel  ministry.  In  March,  1832, 
he  accepted  a  call  to  serve  the  Brook- 
field  Church,  where  he  continued  to 
labor  until  he  removed  to  the  King- 
wood  Church  in  New  Jersey,  where  he 
labored  faithfully  and  successfully 
for  many  years,  until  he  was  called  to 
lay  his  armor  by.  The  peculiar  and 
prominent  traits  of  his  character  were 


such  as  develop  the  fruits  of  the 
Spirit:  love,  peace,  gentleness,  good- 
ness, faith,  meekness,  temperance  and 
brotherly  kindness.  In  his  ministry, 
and  more  especially  in  the  later  years 
of  his  labors,  he  was  truly  a  "Boan- 
erges," or  son  of  thunder,  in  defense 
of  truth  and  exposition  of  error;    and 


jfm^s 


GABRIEL   CONKLIN 

in  all  his  course  he  was  emphatically 
a  son  of  consolation  to  all  the  tried 
and  afflicted  children  of  God.  He  was 
a  lover  of  peace  and  union  among  the 
saints,  and  all  who  have  known  him 
have  awarded  him  the  character  of 
peace-maker,  in  1832,  when  a  conven- 
tion of  Primitive  and  Apostolic  Bap- 
tists was  held  with  the  Black  Rock 
Church,  in  Baltimore  County,  Md.,  and 
at  which  time  and  place  a  solemn  pro- 
test was  published  against  all  the  new 
religious  innovations  which  were  then 
pouring  into  the  church  like  a  flood, 
when  a  firm  stand  was  taken  to  resist 
and  withdraw  fellowship  from  all  who 
walked  disorderly,  Elder  Conklin  par- 
ticipated, and  with  Beebe,  Barton  and 
many  others  stood  firm  in  the  cause 
of  truth.  He  was  a  most  beautiful 
singer,  and  greatly  enjoyed  the  simple 
song  service  in  the  worship  of  God. 


WM.    CONRAD. 


Conrad,  Elder  Wm.  This  able  and 
zealous  servant  of  God  was  born  m 
Harrison  County,  Ky.,  December  6, 
1797,  united  with  Dry  Ridge  Baptist 
Church  September  20,  1820,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  jared  Riley.  He  was 
some  years  afterward  ordained  to  the 
ministerial  work,  and  for  about  half 
a  century,  was  a  faithful  laborer  in 
the  Master's  vineyard..  Elder  Conrad 
wrote  a  history  of  his  life  and  travels, 
together  with  a  concise  history  of 
the     following     Old     School     Baptist 


72 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Churches:  Williarnstown  and  Fork- 
lick,  Grant  County,  Raysfork,  Scott 
County;  and  Twin  Creek,  Harrison 
County,  Kentucky.  This  book  contains 
422  pages  and  was  published  in  1876. 
In  it  is  related  many  interesting  inci- 
dents of  this  eminent  minister's 
labors  and  the  reader,  for  a  full  his- 
tory of  him,  is  referred  to  its  pages. 
He  died  about  twenty  years  ago  full 
of  years  and  rich  in  faith  and  trust- 
ing in  the  grace  of  God  that  he  had 
so  ably  preached  to  others. 


JOHN  A.  CONLEE. 

Conlee,  Elder  John  A.,  of  Waverly, 
111.,  was  born  in  Sangamon  County,  111., 
February  22,  1855,  and  united  with 
Head  of  Apple  Creek  Church,  in  Mor- 
gan County,  111.,  January  14,  1879.  He 
was  ordained  in  December,  1893  and 
now  has  the  care  of  three  churches,  to 
whom  he  gives  an  earnest  service.  This 
brief  sketch  appears  in  Elder  Cash's 
book.  The  editor  regrets  data  for  a 
full  sketch  could  not  be  secured. 


DANIELT.  CONNER. 

Conner,  Elder  Daniel  T.,  was  born 
December  9,  1S43,  and  died  January  23, 
1895.  He  united  with  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  at  Jack's  Creek,  Patrick 
County,  Va.,  July  I860,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Daniel  Conner,  was 
licensed  bv  the  church  to  preach  in 
June,  1883,  and  in  April,  1S84.  was 
ordained  by  a  presbytery  of  Elders  G. 
L.  Tuggie  and  Amos  Dickinson.  He  was 
the  South  and  was  with  Washington 
in  doctrine,  and  could  truly  say  with 


Paul,  by  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what 
I  am.  His  humility  and  exemplary 
walk  told  all  who  knew  him  that  he  was 
a  subject  of  grace.  For  several  of  the 
last  months  that  he  labored  in  his 
Masters'  vineyard  he  preached  with 
increased  warmth  and  zeal  and  seemed 
to  be  much  favored  with  a  sweet  fore- 
taste of  that  heavenly  world  which 
he  is  now  realizing. 


JAMES    CONNERS. 

Conners,  Elder  James.  This  faithful 
minister  was  born  in  Culpepper  Coun- 
ty, Va.,  November,  1745,  and  died  at 
his  home  near  Battle  Run  Church, 
June,  1832,  the  year  of  the  division 
between  the  Old  and  the  New  School 
Baptists.  He  was  a  self-made  man,  an 
eminent  preacher,  a  strong  defender 
of  religious  liberty  and  fought  in  the 
Revolution  under  General  Green  in 
the  South  and  was  with  Washington 
at  the  surrender  at  Yorktown.  After 
the  war,  he  was,  for  many  years,  pas- 
tor of  Thorntons  Gap  and  Battle  Run 
churches.  Elder  Conne  s  opposed 
the  modern  missionary  schemes 
that  were  being  pressed  upon  the 
churches  in  his  latter  days  and  was 
one  whose  influence  assisted  in  pre- 
venting the  Shjloh  Association  from 
adopting  the  Arminian  theory  and 
method  of  Missions.  He  was  a  man  of 
great  mental  power  and  firmly  estab- 
lished in  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and 
the  apostles  of  salvation  by  grace. 


W.  J.  COOPER. 

Cooper,  Elder  W.  J.,  of  Rome,  Ga., 
is  pastor  of  Antioch,  Pleasant  Hill  and 
Midway  Churches  of  the  Enharlee 
Primitive  Baptist  Associations.  He  is 
also  the  beloved  Moderator  of  this 
Association,  and  his  labors  are  highly 
esteemed  among  the  churches. 


JOHN  A  CORDER. 

Corder,  Elder  John  A.  was  a  very 
gifted  minister  of  the  Old  School  order. 
Was  ordained  at  Big  Red  Stone  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church  by  Elders  James 
Janway,  Ruben  I.  Skinner  and  Martin 
Robinson,  December  3  1855.  The  late 
Elder  T.  N.  Alderlon  wrote  the  follow- 
ing relative  to  Elder  Corder:  "My 
acquaintance  with  Brother  Corder 
commenced  about  thirteen  years  ago. 
I  was  then  in  my  tender  youth,  also  in 
grace.  Since  that  time  I  have  been 
much  in  his  company,  and  have  re- 
ceived more  instruction  and  informa- 
tion from  him  than  from  any  other  one 
man,  and  had  formed  an  attachment 
for  him,  the  full  strength  of  which  I 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


73 


did  not  find  out  till  he  was  gone.  His 
mortal  remains  were  followed  by  his 
friends  to  the  Little  Capon  Church.  It 
is  easier  to  imagine  than  describe  the 
feelings  of  the  people  when,  at  his 
usual  hour  for  preaching,  his  inanimate 
body  was  carried  into  the  house.  But 
the  tongue  of  the  orator  was   silent; 


JOHN    A.    CORDER 

the  warrior  had  laid  down  his  arms; 
the  watchman  had  been  called  down 
from  his  watch-tower;  he  had  come  this 
time  to  stay  till  the  trumpet  of  God 
shall  call  for  his  sleeping  dust."  The 
editor  is  unable  to  obtain  a  more 
complete  account  of  this  useful  and 
well  beloved  servant  of  Jesus 


JAS.   S.   CORBITT. 


Corbitt,  Elder  Jas.  S.,  of  Greenville, 
N.  C.,  fifth  child  and  third  son  of  a 
family  of  fifteen  children  born  unto 
Jas.  M.  and  Anise  (Brinkley)  Corbitt, 
dates  his  natural  birth  October  27, 
1858.    At    the    age    of    twelve    he    was 


seriously  impressed  with  the  subject 
of  his  soul's  salvation  and  was  given 
a  remarkable  dream  that  caused  him 
much  concern,  and  which  he  after- 
wards realized,  at  least,  to  some  ex- 
tent, the  fulfillment  of  which  was  in- 
structive to  him  in  the  way  of  salva- 
tion. He  was  given  other  vi- 
sions and  dreams,  and  other  ev- 
idences of  his  interest  in  the  salva- 
tion of  Jesus  and  of  his  duty  to  the 
church,  and  having  obtained  a  good 
hope  through  grace  he  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  in  1880  and  was  in 
1886  ordained  to  the  gospel  work  by 
Elders  Wm.  A.  Ross  and  "Wim.  Jones. 
Elder  Corbitt  has  served  Blount's 
Creek,  Cross  Roads  and  Tyson's 
churches  and  has  traveled  and  preach- 
ed among  other  churches  in  eastern 
North    Carolina. 


PETER  CORN. 

Corn,  Eider  Peter,  Moderator  of  the 
Pigg  River  Association  and  greatly 
beloved  by  the  household  of  faith  who 
know  him,  was  born  February  26,  1834, 
in  Patrick  County,  Va.,  reared  by 
parents  of  moderate  circumstances, 
labored  hard  when  a  youth  and  re- 
ceived but  a  common  school  education. 
In  a  sketch  of  his  life  published  in  1907, 
he  says  of  himself:  "I  feel  to  say  the 
Lord  "has  blessed  my  efforts  to  live  an 
honest  and  upright  life,  though  I  have 
been  in  great  straits  and  did  not  see 
how  I  could  get  out.  I  feel  to  say  the 
Lord  always  opened  up  a  way,  I  today, 
though  not  rich,  have  a  sufficiency  of 
this  world's  goods  to  keep  me  com- 
fortable, and  if  I  ever  wronged  a  man 
out  of  a  cent  or  failed  to  pay  every 
cent  that  I  owed  to  any  man  and  he  will 
make  me  sensible  of  the  fact  I  will  pay 
him  fourfold.  I  have  tried  to  live  a 
moral  and  sober  life,  have  used  some 


74 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


spirits  during  life.  I  have  never  been 
intoxicated  nor  have  I  ever  gone  to 
a  bar-room  and  bought  a  drink  of  in- 
toxicating spirits,  never  have  been 
warranted  or  sued  on  any  of  my  con- 
tracts with  my  fellow  man."  He  united 
with  the  church  March,  1860,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Joshua  Adams,  and 
in  a  few  years  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry.  Elder  Corn  has 
ever  been  faithful  to  the  cause  of 
truth,  serving  churches  constantly  and 
walking  worthy  of  his  high  calling. 
Though  in  his  seventy-fifth  year  at  this 
writing  (1908)  he  is  still  active  and  full 
of  zeal,  contending  earnestly  for  the 
faith  once  delivered  unto  the  saints. 

BLOUNT    B.   COOPER. 

Cooper,  Elder  Blount  B.,  was  born 
in  Martin  County,  N.  C.  but  the  date 
of  his  birth  is  not  known  to  the 
writer.  He  was  a  useful  and  gifted 
minister  and  after  a  long  and  faithful 
service  in  his  Master's  cause,  he  on 
the  25th  of  January,  1854,  breathed 
his  last,  surrounded  by  his  affection- 
ate family  and  friends.  A  friend  writes 
of  him  as  follows:  "His  death  has 
caused  a  vacuum  which  can  be  filled 
only  by  him  who  first  gave  him  to 
the  church.  It  may  in  truth  be  said  of 
brother  Cooper  that  he  mourned  with 
them  that  mourn  and  rejoiced  with 
those  who  were  enabled  to  rejoice  in 
the  Lord  as  their  Redeemer.  Wise  in 
counsel,  courteous  in  his  deportment, 
inflexible  in  the  truths  of  the  gospel, 
with  a  fruitful  mind  and  loving  heart 
he  was  a  father  in  Israel  and  great 
advocate     of   the     truth     as    it    is   in 

Jesus."  

JACOB  CORRELL. 

Cornell,  Elder  Jacob  (1817-1883),  was 
born  in  the  county  of  Montgomery, 
Va.  Professed  a  hope  in  Christ  about 
the  year  of  1842,  and  joined  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church,  October,  1846,  at 
White  Oak  Grove.  He  was  soon  li- 
censed and  in  1S50  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  He  was  noted 
for  his  faithfulness  in  every  respect 
and  as  a  scriptorian  his  equals  were 
seldom  found,  his  gift  seemed  mostly 
to  be  setting  forth  the  connections  of 
the  Old  and  New  Testament  and  at 
what  time  prophesies  were  fulfilled. 


some  time  before  he  died,  his  mind  was 
very  much  composed,  often  speaking 
of  his  departure  and  his  hope  which 
was  anchored  alone  on  Jesus.  He  often 
spoke  of  the  goodness  of  God,  and  said 
the  Lord  had  been  abundantly  good  to 
him  and  sustained  him  to  a  good  old 
age,  brought  him  through  many  trials 


JOSEPH  CORRELL. 

Correll,  Elder  Joseph,  who  served 
churches  in  Pennsylvania  and  West 
Virginia,  died  October  4,  1888.  A  full 
sketch  of  his  life  cannot  be  obtained 
by  the  editor.  The  following  notice  of 
his  death  was  written  by  a  friend:  "For 


JOSEPH   CORRELL 

and  conflicts  by  the  way,  for  which 
he  desired  to  be  thankful,  and  resigned 
to  the  will  of  the  God  who  doeth  all 
things  well.'  'His  funeral  was  at- 
tended by  a  very  large  concourse  of 
people  which  came  to  pay  the  last 
tribute  of  respect  to  a  Father  in  Israel. 
Elder  Correll  will  be  missed  very  much 
at  home  and  abroad,  as  his  acquaint- 
ance was  great;  but  we  hope  our  loss 
is  his  gain." 


Cory,   Elder  W.  N.,  of  Frankfort,  O., 
was  born  near  Frankfort,  June  10,  1844, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


75 


raised  a  farmer's  boy  with  opportun- 
ities for  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion and  afterwards  taught  in  the 
schools  and  also  attended  the  Lebanon 
National  Normal  University.  While  at 
Lebanon,  he  united  with  the  West 
Lebanon  Primitive  Baptist  Church, 
May  8,  1868.  He  dated  his  first  serious 
concern  on  religious  things  when  a  boy 
of  eleven  years,  and  obtained  a  pre- 
cious hope  after  many  years  of  wilder- 
ness travel.  He  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Samuel  Williams  and  in  June,  1886  was 
granted  liberty  by  the  church  to  exer- 
cise his  gift.  On  October,  30,  1886,  he 
was  set  apart  to  the  gospel  ministry 
by  the  church — Elder  J.  C.  Reed  deliv- 
ering the  ordination  prayer  and  Elder 
Daniel  Hess  the  charge — Since  that 
time  he  has  been  preaching  among  the 
Baptists  wherever  a  door  has  been 
opened  and  has  baptized  many  precious 
souls  during  his  ministry.  He  lives  on 
a  farm.  His  wife  is  a  true  helpmate  and 
they  have  raised  seven  children  to 
man  and  womanhood.  Elder  Cory 
writes:  "I  can  say  that  I  have  received 
much  kindly  consideration  from  my 
brethren,  whom  I  esteem  as  the  excell- 
ence of  the  earth." 


B.  F.  COULTER   (M.  D.) 

Coulter,  Elder  B.  F.  (M.  D.),  of 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Dr.  Coulter  who  is 
a  successful  physician  as  well  as  an 
able  and  zealous  minister,  was  born 
September  3,  1846;  graduated  in  med- 
icine March,  1880;  convicted  of  sin, 
given  a  hope  in  the  Saviour  and 
in  September,  1883,  united  with 
Welsh  Tract  Old  School  Baptist 
Church  in  New  Castle  County,  Del- 
aware—the oldest  Old   School   church 


year  1887.  Dr.  Coulter  moved  his  mem- 
bership to  Salem  Church,  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  and  was  in  the  year  1905,  ordained 
to  the  full  functions  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry. The  following  year  he  was  called 
to  the  care  of  this  church  which  holds 
regular  meetings  every  Sunday  morn- 
ing. Elder  Coulter  is  an  able  defender 
of  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour,  a 
fluent  writer  and  greatly  loved  by  his 
people. 


ELIJAH    S.    COUNTS. 

Counts,  Elder  Elijah  S.  The  subject 
of  this  notice,  was  born  at  Cleveland, 
Russell  County,  Va.,  February  10, 
1828.  He  professed  a  hope  in  Jesus 
and  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  at  Reed's  Valley,  Russell 
County,  Va.,  and  was  baptized  bj 
Elder  J.  W.  Smith  in  1874.  He  remain- 
ed a  faithful  member  of  this  church 
till  he  moved  his  membership  to  Sul- 
phur Spring  Church,  in  Dickenscn 
County,  Va.,  of  which  church  he  re- 
mained a  member  until  his  death.  He 
was  licensed  to  preach  June  1,  1876, 
and  ordained  by  Elders  T.  Grimsley, 
S.  William  and  M.  T.  Lipps,  in  1880. 
A  firmer  man  never  lived.  Whatevei 
he  believed  to  be  truth,  he  maintained 
unwaveringly  to  the  last.  His  object 
was  not  to  please  men,  but  please 
Him  who  had  called  him  to  be  a  sol- 
dier. He  was  faithful.  He  stood  firm 
on  the  old  platform  contending  with 
all  his  ability  for  the  doctrine  and  or- 
der of  the  Primitive  Baptists,  and 
strenuously  opposing  the  introduction 
of  new  things  among  the  Baptists. 
Brother  Counts  traveled  many  miles, 
through  wet  and  dry,  heat  and  cold, 
preaching  the  glad  tidings  of  great 
joy,  and  in  his  latter  days  was  un- 
doubtedly possessed  with  brighter 
views  and  revelation.  He  was  enter- 
taining and  instructive  in  his  conver- 
sation. He  seemed  to  be  greatly  im- 
pressed in  teaching  the  practical  duties 
of  the  church  and  the  discriminating 
laws  of  Zion,  and  in  unfolding  the 
glorious  mysteries  of  the  oracles  ol 
God's  word  to  the  edification  of  the 
saints  and  the  feeding  of  both  the 
sheep  and  the  lambs.  The  doctrine 
that  he  preached  was  not  his,  but  His 
who  sent  him.  He  sought  not  to  please 
men,  thereby  proving  to  be  a  servant 
of  God  ever  standing  firm  upon  the 
walls  of  Zion  preaching  salvation  by 
grace  through  Christ  and  that  grace 
given  in  Christ  before  the  world  be- 
gan. 


76 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


JESSE  COX. 

Cox,  Elder  Jesse,  of  Tennessee.  This 
eminent  minister  was  born  July  19, 
1793,  and  died  August  23,  1879.  He  was 
an  able  writer  and  was  the  author  of  a 
deep,  spiritual  work  on  prophecy  and 
was  an  active,  zea'ous  preacher  of  the 
Old  School  Baptists  for  more  than  fifty 
years.  The  editor  regrets  a  more 
complete  sketch  does  not  appear,  but 
lack  of  reliable  data  prevents  it. 


W.  S.  CRAIG. 

Craig,  Elder  W.  S.,  of  Cozad,  Neb., 
a  very  lovely  and  useful  minister 
modestly  writes  of  himself  as  follows: 
"I    was    bom    May    1,    1867,    in    Coles 


County,  Ills.,  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptists  September  8,  1889,  being  bap- 
tized by  Elder  F.  M.  Reeds.  I  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Arminta  L.  Reeds,  August 
26,  1891,  and  moved  to  Dawson  County, 
Neb.,  in  March,  1896.  We  soon  found  a 
small  band  of  orderly  Baptists  and  cast 
in  our  lot  with  them.  Some  time  after 
this  I  was  much  troubled  in  mind  about 
trying  to  preach.  This  I  much  dreaded, 
for  I  keenly  felt  my  unworthiness  and 
unfitness  for  such  a  high  calling.  But 
the  more  I  tried  to  banish  such  feelings 
from  my  mind  the  stronger  they  grew, 
until  I  seemed  unfit  for  business.  Hard 
work  would  not  drown  these  feel- 
ing and  my  mind  seemed  continu- 
ally meditating  on  some  portion 
of  Scripture.  I  was  very  reluc- 
tant to  try  to  talk  publicly  though 
strongly  urged  to  do  so.  But  I 
found  that  after  trying  to  talk, 
sometimes  a  peace  of  mind  was  given, 
and  at  other  times  a  feeling  of  disgust 
with  myself  over  such  miserable  fail- 
ures. Finally  the  church  called  for  my 
ordination,  though  I  told  them  that  I 
thought  such  a  step  too  hasty  and  that 
they  should  wait  until  I  had  given  more 
proof  of  my  gift.  Being  overruled  in 
this  matter  I  submitted,  feeling  afraid 
to  absolutely  refuse.  So  on  October  5, 
1901,  I  was  ordained  at  Loup  River 
Church,  in  Custer  County,  Neb.,  by 
Elders  Isaiah  Waggoner,  James  H. 
Ring  and  M.  G.  Mitchell.  This  was  a 
sad  day  indeed  for  me,  and  I  remember 
of  twice  telling  the  presbytery  that  if 
they  had  the  least  doubt  of  my  call,  I 
did  not  want  them  to  lay  hands  on 
me.  I  have  always  doubted  my  call, 
since  my  first  impressions  to  preach. 
I  indeed  find  the  ministry  a  burden  and 
feel  that  I  wouldly  gladly  lay  it  down, 
if  I  could  do  so  with  peace  of  mind. 
But  in  my  weakness  I  try  to  proclaim 
the  glorious  gospel  of  God's  grace  and 
the  wonders  of  his  redeeming  love, 
trusting  in  him  for  ability  to  do  so  to 
his  name's  praise  and  the  comfort  and 
edification  of  his  people." 


C.  T.  CRANK. 

Crank,  Elder  C.  T.,  of  North  Carolina. 
In  early  life  he  was  a  captain  of  mer- 
chant ships  on  the  Atlantic  and  was 
noted  for  his  honesty  in  all  the  duties 
of  life.  He  was  born  in  Currituck 
County,  N.  C,  August  7,  1821,  united 
with  the  church,  October.  1852,  and 
ever  lived  a  faithful  member.  He  was 
appointed  deacon  in  June,  1860,  and 
fulfilled  the  office  in  faithfulness,  and 
was,  in  1867,  given  a  liberty  to  exercise 
his  gift.    He  was  ordained  in  1872   and 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


77 


boldly  contended  for  the  faith  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  until  he  fell  asleep 
in  death,  September  20,  1880.  Elder 
Crank  was  greatly  beloved  by  all  who 
knew  him  for  his  honest  deportment, 
was  a  good  neighbor  and  failed  not  to 
attend  to  the  poor  and  afflicted  and  it 


C.    T.   CRANK 

can  be  well  said  of  him  he  has  fought  a 
good  fight,  finished  his  course,  kept  the 
faith  and  henceforth  there  is  laid  up 
for  him  a  crown  of  righteousness  which 
the  righteous  judge  shall  give  all  who 
loves  his  appearing. 


JAS.    M.    CREWS. 

Crews,  Elder  Jas.  M.,  of  Kerners- 
ville,  N.  C,  was  born  in  Forsyth 
County,  N.  C,  September  15,  1877; 
married  December  30,  1897,  to  Miss 
Lou  V.  Mathews;  obtained  a  hope  in 
Christ  in  1892;  joined  the  church  at 
Pine  Ridge  in  1900,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  J.  W.  Flinchum.  He  was 
licensed  November,  1903,  and  ordain- 
ed to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry August,  1904,  by  Elders  A.  M. 
Denny  and  J.  J.  Joyce,  and  was  soon 
called  to  the  care  of  churches  which 
he  faithfully  serves. 


C.    L.    CROUSE. 

Crouse,  Elder  C.  L.,  of  Hamburg, 
Iowa,  was  born  in  Allegheny  County, 
N.  C,  April  25,  1871;  received  a  hope 
in  the  Saviour  in  his  nineteenth  year 
of  age,  united  with  the  Antioch 
Church,  January,  1891,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  J.  M.  Wyatt.  For  about 


one  year  he  had  sweet  communion 
with  the  people  of  God  and  feasted, 
on  fat  things  from  the  Master's  table, 
but  then  it  was  that  impressions  to 
speak  of  Jesus  with  such  feelings  of 
unworthiness  possessing  his  mind  that 
he  determined  to  move  whero  there 
were  no  Baptists.  So  in  1892  he  turn- 
ed his  back  on  the  people  he  so  dearly 
loved  and  for  about  four  years  roved 
over  the  western  states,  and  like  the 
dove   from   the   Ark   found   no   resting 


C.    L.    CROUSE 

place  until  he  settled  near  Liberty 
Church,  Fremont  County,  Iowa,  which 
he  joined  by  letter  June,  1898.  Seven 
years  later — '1905 — he  was  licensed  to 
preach,  and  in  April,  1908,  was  ordain- 
ed by  Elders  W,  J.  Pollard,  J.  H.  Ring 
and  E.  M.  Kenney.  Elder  Crouse  is. 
zealous  in  the  cause  of  truth  and  sat- 
isfied with  the  Apostles'  doctrine  and 
practice,  desiring  to  add  nothing  to 
or  take  from  the  perfect  standard  and 
thorough  furnisher  of  all  good  works. 


JOHN    CROY. 

Croy,  Elder  John,  was  born  in  Bel- 
mont County,  O.,  September  11,  182S; 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Morgan 
County,  O.,  in  1830;  received  a  hope 
of  eternal  life  in  Christ  Jesus  in  18G6, 
and,  with  his  wife,  united  with  Mt. 
Olive  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  Mor- 
gan County,  O.,  in  1SG8;  was  baptized 
by  Elder  Lewis  Kagy,  and  ordained 
to  full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  in 
1871.  After  serving  different  churches 
in  different  counties  in  Ohio  until 
1886,  he  then  moved  to  Fountain 
Head,  Summer  County,  Tenn.,  where 
he  and  wife  united  with  East  Station 


78 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Camp  Church  and  remained  a  faithful 
member  until  his  death,  which  occur- 
red near  Portland,  January  24,  1895. 
He  first  joined  the  Methodist  denom- 
ination, but  their  preaching  and  prac- 
tice were  so  contrary  to  his  experi- 
ence and  understanding  of  the  Scrip- 
tures that  he  soon  went  to  his  true 
home — the  Primitive  Baptists.  He 
was  a  faithful  witness  for  Jesus  and 
died  preaching  the  gospel  he  so  much 
loved. 


F.  J.  CRUMBY. 

Crumby,  Elder  F.  J.,  of  Montague 
Valley,  Tenn.,  was  born  May  29,  1847, 
in  Carter  County,  Tenn.,  professed  a 
hope  in  Christ  the  year  1869,  and  in 
the  same  year  joined  the  Missionary 
Baptists,  being  wrongly  informed  by 
one  of  their  ministers  who  told  him 
that  their  church  was  the  Apostolic 
Church,  but  by  reading  his  Bible  he 
found  it  was  not  the  church  that  Christ 
set  up,  that  they  preached  salvation  by 
works  and  the  Bible  taught  salvation 
by  grace.  There  was  no  Primitive 
Baptist  churches  near  him  at  that  time, 
but  soon  after  some  Primitive  Baptist 
ministers  went  from  Virginia  and  or- 
ganized a  church  on  Stony  Creek.  This 
church  he  joined  May,  1886,  at  a  meet- 
ing held  by  Elders  M.  T.  Lips  and  C.  C. 
Whitehead.  He  was  ordained  Deacon 
in  March,  1887.  For  many  years  he  had 
been  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
preaching.  The  church  saw  his  gift  and 
liberated  him  to  preach  in  the  bounds 
of  the  Washington  Association,  and  he 
was  ordained  July,  1908,  by  Elders  H. 
B.  Miller  and  F.  M.  Salyer,  Elder  Crum- 
by is  pastor  of  Blue  Spring  Church 
where  he  holds  his  membership.     He 


wants  no  new  thing  in  the  service  of 
God  but  desires  to  walk  in  the  old  path 
marked  out  by  Christ  and  His  apostles. 


KINCHON    CRUMPLER. 

Crumpler,  Elder  Kinchon,  of  North 
Carolina.  The  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  in  1807.  About  the  year  1837 
he  united  with  the  Methodist  denomi- 
nation. While  there  the  Lord  arrested 
him  by  His  spirit,  opened  his  under- 
standing, showing  him  the  wretched 
condition  he  was  in  by  nature,  and 
the  need  of  a  perfect  righteousness  to 
prepare  him  to  stand  in  peace  before 
God.  When  he  found  peace  in  Jesus 
he  soon  became  dissatisfied  with  the 
Methodists;  and  sought  the  compan- 
ionship of  Primitive  Baptists  about 
the  year  1848.  In  a  short  while  there- 
after he  was  liberated  and  soon  after 
was  ordained  to  the  full  ministry  of 
the  word.  He  became  pastor  of  the 
church  at  "Upper  Black  Creek,  in  Wil- 
son County,  N'.  C,  near  his  residence, 
and  remained  pastor  here  while  he 
lived.  He  was  a  gifted  preacher  in  doc- 
trine and  experience,  and  enjoyed  the 
full  fiellowship  and  confidence  of  his 
brethren  while  he  lived.  Though  fee- 
ble for  years  he  was  faithful  in  at- 
tending preaching.  He  fought  a  good 
fight  and  finished  his  course  in  peace. 


I.    K.    CRUMPTON. 

Crumpton,  Elder  I.  K.,  of  Alabama, 
— This  faithful  man  fell  asleep  June 
25,  1893.  The  church  at  Mt.  Olive, 
Shelby  County,  Ala.,  which  he  was 
serving  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
spread  upon  its  records  the  following 
note  of  respect  to  his  memory:  "Where 
in  it  has  pleased  our  Heavenly  Father 
to  take  from  our  midst  our  beloved 
pastor,  we  in  deep  sorrow,  give 
God  the  honor  for  the  gift  which  in 
him  was  proven  by  his  teachings, 
walk  and  worthy  examples,  which 
were  the  highest  characteristics  of 
God's  love,  and  one  of  God's  true  and 
purest  gifts  that  can  be  bestowed 
upon  poor,  frail  man.  In  his  meek, 
humble  and  energetic  defense  of  the 
doctrine  and  word  of  God,  and  plan 
of  salvation  for  poor,  mortal  man,  he 
was  ever  untiring  and  unflinching  to 
the  last,  and  we,  as  a  church, 
give  this  as  our  token  of  love  for  our 
departed  pastor.  Though  his  voice  is 
forever  hushed,  and  his  presence  for- 
ever sealed  from  our  view,  yet  his 
teachings    and    admonitions    liveth    as 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


an  example  of  character  for  a  servant 
of  the  most  high  God.  Although  his 
warfare  is  over,  his  race  run,  and  the 
work  given  him  finished,  yet  may  we 
be  able  to  say,  the  Lord  giveth  and 
the  Lord  taketh  away,  blessed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord." 


S.  S.  CRUMPTON. 

Crumpton,  Elder  S.  S.,  of  Columbiana, 
Ala.,  is  a  brother  of  the  late  Elder  I. 
K.  Crumpton  and  has  the  care  of 
churches  among  the  people  with  whom 
he  was  born  and  raised.  He  was  born 
in  Shelby  County  Ala.,  November  19, 
1865.  In  his  thirteenth  year  he  re- 
ceived a  bodily  injury  from  an  over- 
strain or  lift  from  which  he 
has  never  recovered.  When  about 
eighteen  he  was  convicted  for 
sin  and  made  to  feel  that  "if 
his  soul  were  sent  to  hell,  God's 
righteous  law  approved  it  well."  But 
while  thus  burdened,  hoping  against 
hope  and  praying  for  God's  mercy, 
God  spoke  peace  to  his  burdened  soul 
in  a  manner  unexpected  and  surprising 
to  him,  and  like  Jacob  of  old,  he  could 
say,  "the  Lord  was  here  and  I  knew  it 
not."  For  more  than  a  year  he  delayed 
uniting  with  the  church,  but  finally 
went  before  Old  Ebenezer,  was  re- 
ceived and  baptized  by  his  brother, 
Elder  I.  K.  Crumpton.  The  year  fol- 
lowing he  was  licensed  and  seven 
months  later  was  ordained,  and  amid 
all  the  trials,  hardships  and  discour- 
agements incident  to  a  minister's  life, 
to  which  is  added  his  afflicted  bodily 
condition,  he  has  for  the  past  twenty 
years  proven  true  and  faithful  in  the 
cause  of  Jesus. 


J.    Z.    CUMMINGS. 

Cummings,  Elder  J.  Z.,  was  born 
in  Chambers  County,  Ala.,  March  31, 
1873.  In  youth  he  was  taught  that  the 
Primitive  Baptists  were  a  dangerous 
people  and  he  would  not  go  to  their 
services.  He  united  with  the  Metho- 
odists  while  young  and  lived  with 
them  several  years.  Never  having  felt 
the  gentle  touch  of  God's  finger  of 
love,  he  was  like  the  greater  portion 
of  the  religious  world,  rowdy,  wicked, 
and  profane.  He  soon  became  dis- 
gusted with  himself,  feeling  that  he 
was  only  playing  the  hypocrite  in  m'o- 
Uessing  religion,  and  for  several  years 
would  not  attend  any  church.  Finally 
God's  Spirit  convicted  him  of  sin,  left 
him    in   great   darkness    for    a    season 


and  then  gave  him  a  sweet  hope  in 
Jesus.  He  united  with  Harmony 
Church,  Richland  County,  Ga.,  August 
1901,  liberated  in  January,  1905,  and 
ordained  by  Elders  R.  H.  Jennings, 
W.  T.  Everette  and  H.  H.  Phillips 
May,  1905.  Elder  Cummings  has  con- 
tinually served  churches  since  his  or- 
dination and  has  been  blessed  in  the 
work,  having  many  seals  to  his  min- 
istry. He  writes  me  as  follows:  :  "I  am 
the  least  in  my  Father's  house.  Have 
had  many  seasons  of  rejoicing.  Have 
traveled  a  good  many  miles,  and  met 
many  of  the  dear  saints.  At  present 
(1907)  I  am  in  the  Chatawhatchee 
(Ala.)  Association.  My  home  church 
is  Mt.  Zion.  I  desire  to  finish  my 
course  with  joy  and  die  in  the  full 
triumphs  of  a  living  faith.  I  want  no 
"new  things"  in  God's  house,  feeling 
that  Apostolic  practices  are  good 
enough   for  me.' 


W.    R.   CUMMINGS. 

Cummings,  Elder  W.  R.  (M.  D.),  of 
Ste'la,  Patrick  County,  Va.,  was  born 
and  raised  in  Monroe  County,  W.  Va. 
He  was  given  a  good  hope  through 
Christ,  when  young,  and  soon  after 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  of 
Christ  at  the  Indian  Creek  Church  of 
Indian  Creek  Association,  by  experi- 
ence, and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Hub- 
bard, Moderator  of  that  Association. 
Sometime  after  his  baptism,  Brother 
Cummins  began  to  exercise  a  public 
preaching  gift;  and  the  church  of 
which  he  was  a  member,  seeing  the 
manifestation  of  a  preaching  gift  in 
him,  set  him  apart  for  ordination,  and 
ordained  him  to  the  full  functions  of 
the  gospel  ministry.  He  was  about 
seventy  years  of  age  when  he  died, 
CI907)  and  had  been  preaching  about 
forty  years.  He  began  the  study  and 
practice  of  medicine  at  an  early  age, 
and  was  not  only  eminent  as  a 
gospel  minister  of  Christ,  but  was 
also,  a  good  physician,  and  not  only 
esteemed  by  his  brethren  and  friends 
as  an  able  minister,  but  also  as  a 
successul  physician.  Brother  Cum- 
mings was  possessed  with  all  the 
graces  that  it  takes  to  constitute  a 
Christian  gentleman;  and  was  pleasant 
and  entertaining  in  conversation, 
amiable  and  inviting  in  disposition,  lov- 
ing and  gentle  in  manners,  having  an 
humble,  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  is 
of  great  worth  and  more  to  be  desired 
than  rubies.  He  was  chaste  in  conver- 
sation, honest,  truthful  virtuous  in  his 
everyday  life,  and  commanding  in  ap- 
pearance. He  was  a  loving  husband,  a 


80 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


good  father,  a  good  neighbor,  a  good 
citizen,  a  good  physician,  a  good 
church  member,  and  an  able  preacher; 
in  fact  a  model  Christian  man,  beloved 
by  Primitive  Baptists;  beloved  by  the 
people,  both  white  and  colored.  And  he 
loved  the  Primitive  Baptists  most  dear- 
ly, regarding  them  as  truly  the  true 
church.  He  loved  them  because  they 
loved  the  doctrine  of  grace  and  the 
ordinances  of  God's  house  (church). 
He  regarded  his  many  friend  and  the 
people  generally  with  a  great  deal  of 
respect;  and,  in  preaching,  his  great 
desire  was  to  feed  the  spiritual  hungry 
and  to  comfort  the  poor  mourner  in 
Zion;  and,  in  the  practice  of  medicine, 
to  heal  the  sick,  and  cure  the  wounded 
and  the  lame.  Yea,  verily,  he  went 
night  and  day,  through  cold,  wet  and 
heat,  everywhere,  wherever  his  lot  was 
cast,  or  was  called  to  go,  doing  good, 
seeking  to  elevate  poor  suffering  hu- 


manity.    Truly   many  noble   traits   of 
character  were  manifested  in  him. 


H.  M.  CURRY. 

Curry,  Elder  H.  M.,  of  Lebanon,  O. 
The  name  of  this  gifted  minister  and 
able  writer  is  familiar  to  many  of  our 
people  and  the  editor  regrets  that  his 
efforts  to  obtain  information  from 
which  to  prepare  a  suitable  sketch 
proved  fruitless.  From  information 
printed  in  Elder  Potter's  little  souvenir 
book  in  1895,  we  learn  that  Elder  Curry 
was  educated  at  Lebanon,  O.,  and  is 
now  about  fifty-four  years  of  age.  He 
is  a  good  writer,  a  fine  speaker  and  a 
strong  doctrinal  preacher  and  is  will- 
ing to  speak  up  and  contend  for  what 
he  believes  in  defiance  of  learned  crit- 
ics who  differ  from  him. 


D 


JOHN    R.   DAILY. 

Daily,  Elder  John  R.,  of  Indianap- 
olis, Ind.  This  kind-hearted,  affection- 
ate and  gifted  preacher  is  a  son  of 
Peter  and  Zelia  Nettie  Daily,  and 
was  born,  in  Clinton  County,  Ind., 
Mjay  21,  1854.  His  parents  were  poor 
people,  but  were  industrious  and  up- 
right, providing  well  for  their  fam- 
ily; were  members  of  the  Little  Flock 
Church  of  Regular  or  Primitive  Bap- 
tists and  strict  attendants  at  their 
church  services,  and  taking  their 
children  with  them  to  the  house  of 
God.  Elder  Daily  had  poor  opportuni- 
ties to  procure  an  education,  but  this 
disadvantage  did  not  hinder  him  from 


gainging  quite  a  proficiency  in  the 
common  school  branches  of  learning 
and  many  of  the  higher  branches,  as 
he  was  very  fond  of  books  from  early 
life  and  made  rapid  progress  in  what- 
ever he  undertook.  He  entered  upon 
the  profession  of  taching  in  the  com- 
mon schools  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
which  he  followed  for  twenty-two 
years  studying  hard  all  the  while  to 
advance  himself  in  the  higher 
branches  and  especially  in  languages. 
After  many  months  of  conviction,  he 
obtained  a  hope  in  the  Saviour  on  the 
28th  dav  of  February,  1870;  joined  the 
Little  Fiock  Church,  January  21  1871. 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  J.  T.  Oli- 
phant.  From  the  beginning  of  this 
public  profession  he  exercised  in  pub- 
lic prayer,  also  leading  in  the  singing 
service  of  which  he  was  very  fond. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  C. 
Laughner,  in  1873,  who  lived  only 
eleven  weeks.  In  September,  1874,  he 
was  married  the  second  time  to  Miss 
Caroline  Laymon  who  is  still  his 
faithful  companion.  This  union  has 
been  blessed  with  ten  children, — one 
dying  in  infancy, — one — Elder  O.  L. 
Daily — was  killed  in  train  wreck  near 
Washington,  D.  C,  1906;  the  others 
all  members  of  their  parents'  church. 
Elder  Daily  made  his  first  effort  at 
preaching  in  January,  1875;  was  soon 
ordained  and  has  since  had  the  care 
cf  churches  to  which  he  has  closely 
and  faithfully  appMed  himself.  In 
June,  1898,  he  moved  to  Luray,  Va. 
and    took   the   position   of  editor   and 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


81 


publisher  of  Zion's  Advocate,  which 
position  he  held  eight  years,  at  the 
same  time  serving  Hawksbill,  Naked 
Creek,  Mt.  Carmel  and  Alma 
churches,  and  traveling  extensively 
among  churches  in  Virginia  and  other 
states.  In  April,  1906,  he  moved  to 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  where  he  now  re- 
sides, and  is  serving  as  pastor  of  the 
church  in  that  city  and  three  others 
near,  where  also  in  connection  with 
his  sons  he  runs  a  publishing  house, 
doing  job  work,  book  printing,  bind- 
ing, etc.  Elder  Daily  has  published  an 
interesting  history  of  himself  and 
family  entitled,  "Pilgrimage  of  a 
Stranger."  Has  also  published  a  very 
acceptable  Hymn  and  Tune  Book  that 
has  passed  the  ten  thousand  edition. 
Elder  Daily  is  not  only  a  sweet  singer, 
gifted  preacher,  strong  and  forceful 
writer,  but  is  also  an  able  debater, 
and  has  had  several  discussions  with 
leading  representatives  of  the  Disci- 
ple, Universalist  and  other  denomina- 
tions in  which  his  brethren  were  well 
pleased  and  the  truths  of  the  Old 
School  Baptist's  position  in  doctrine 
and  practice  forcibly  vindicated. 


OLIVER    L.   DAILY. 

Daily,  Elder  Oliver  L.,  the  oldest  son 
of  Elder  John  R.  Daily,  was  born  in 
Clinton  County,  Ind.,  August  27,  1875. 
He  accompanied  his  parents  to  Virginia 
when  they  moved  there  in  1898.  His 
father  becoming  editor  and  publisher 
of  Zion's  Advocate,  he  entered  the 
office  of  that  publication  and  mainly 
conducted  the  mechanical  part  of  the 
work  of  that  office.  December,  1898, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Mamie  Camp- 
bell, of  Luray,  Va.  Two  children  were 
born  to  them,  Thelma  Ward  and  John 
Thomas.  He  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  in  May,  1902,  and  was 


baptized  by  his  father.  He  began 
exercising  in  a  public  way  in  October, 

1902,  was  licensed  to  speak  in  April, 

1903,  and  was  ordained  to  the  full  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry  in  December  of 
the  same  year.  His  wife  died  at  his 
home  in  Luray,  of  consumption  Jan- 
uary 22,  1905.  In  March,  1906,  he  was 
married  ot  Mrs.  Chloe  Purdy,  of  St. 
Louisville,  Ohio.  He  located  at  Newark, 
Ohio,  put  his  membership  into  the 
church  at  St.  Louisville,  and  served 
that  church  as  pastor  till  the  time  of 
his  death.  He,  with  his  wife  and  little 
Thelma,  went  on  a  tour  of  preaching 
through  West  Virginia,  Maryland, Penn- 
sylvania and  Virginia.  He  filled  his  last 
appointment  at  Dawsonville,  Md.,  Sun- 
day, December  SO.  They  took  the  train 
at  Boyd's  Station  that  afternoon  for 
Washington  City,  and  when  within 
three  miles  of  the  depot  where  they 
were  to  get  off,  a  train  of  empty  freight 
cars  dashed  into  their  train  and  they 
were  all  three  killed  in  the  awful 
wreck  that  followed.  When  last  seen 
by  Elder  C.  H.  Waters,  who  left  the 
same  train  this  family  was  on  at 
Gaithersburg,  he  was  humming  an  old 
hymn  and  turning  the  leaves  of  his 
Bible  he  loved  so  much  to  study. 


J.  HARVEY   DAILY. 

Daily,  Elder  J.  Harvey,  of  Indianap- 
olis, son  of  Elder  John  R.  Daily,  was 
born  in  Indiana,  February  17,  1881. 
moved  to  Virginia  with  his  parents  in 
1898,  united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists 
in  his  sixteenth  year,  was  ordained  to 
the  ministry  at  Luray,  Va.,  in  1904  and 
shortly  afterwards  moved  to  his  pres- 
ent home  where  he  is  in  the  printing 
business  with  his  father.  He  has  the 
care  of  three  churches  and  is  zealous 
in  the  cause  of  truth;  is  satisfied  with 
the  doctrine  and  practice  of  the  Apos- 


82 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


tolic  church  as  contended  for  hy  his 
honored  father  and  wants  no  new. 
unauthorized  thing  in  the  dear  old 
church.  His  churches  are  good  to  him 
and  the  Lord  is  blessing  his  labors. 
Elder  Daily  is  equally  interested  with 
his  father  in  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Hymn  and  Tune  Book,  has  written 
some  hymns  of  merit,  composed  sev- 
eral pieces  of  music,  is  a  gifted  singer 
and  loves  the  songs  of  Zion  and  the 
simple  service  of  our  churches. 


T.    S.    DALTON. 

Dalton,  Elder  T.  S.,  of  Front  Royal. 
Va.,  was  born  in  Robertson  County, 
Tenn,  June  3,  1S46.  His  father— Tol- 
bert  S.  Dalton — died  about  the  time  of 
his  birth,  and  his  mother — whose 
maiden  name  was  Angeline  Mathews 
— was  left  to  care  for  four  helpless 
children,  and  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  while  growing  to  manhood, 
had  to  labor  hard  to  care  for  himself 
and  a  widowed  mother,  and  was  de- 
nied the  advantages  of  a  liberal  edu- 
cation. He  was  determined,  however, 
to  make  the  best  of  his  limited  ad- 
vantages, and  when  grown  to  man- 
hood, went  to  school  and,  afterwards, 
assisted  in  teaching  to  pay  for  his 
tuition.  During  these  early  days  of  his 
life,  though  in  the  midst  of  poverty. 
he  was  fond  of  the  pleasures  and 
amusements  of  the  world  and  it  was  in 
the  height  of  these  amusements  that 
the  Lord  arrested  him  in  his  wild  ca- 
reer and  brought  him  to  see  that  he 
was  a  poor,  guilty,  helpless  sinner. 
He  was  bowed  down  with  a  great 
burden,  but  God,  who  had  begun 
the  good  work,  did  not  leave  him 
in  this  condition  but  revealed  to 
him  a  great  Saviour.  Almost 
immediately    with      relief,    came    also 


a  desire  to  preach, — to  go  and  tell 
others, — of  the  dear  Saviour  he  had 
found,  but  against  this  impression  he 
fought  hard  and  went  so  far  as  to 
make  arrangements  to  take  his  own 
life,  rather  than  to  expose  his  igno- 
rance before  the  world.  But  God  or- 
dered otherwise;  he  was  led  to  ask 
for  a  home  in  the  church,  baptized 
by  Elder  W.  W.  World,  and  ordained 
September,  1870,  by  Elders  W.  A. 
Bowden,  Wm,  Howard,  W.  W>  World, 
T.  F.  Harrison,  S.  S.  Nix  and  T.  W. 
Hutchinson.  For  a  number  of  years 
after  his  ordination,  Elder  Dalton  did 
the  work  of  an  evangelist,  during 
which  time,  he  baptized  about  seven- 
ty-five to  a  hundred  per  year.  One 
year  alone  he  baptized  over  three 
hundred  persons.  His  travels  in  the 
Master's  cause  has  embraced  twenty- 
seven  states  and  several  territories, 
traveling  thousands  of  miles  annually, 
after  the  apostolic  custom,  without 
any  guarantee  from  any  man  or  body 
of  men.  During  Elder  Dalton's  minis- 
try he  has  lived  in  several  states, 
served  about  twenty-five  churches  and 
had  twenty-eight  debates.  In  these 
public  discussions  he  has  met  some 
of  the  strongest  men  of  the  Arminian 
faith.  Clear  in  argument,  forceful  in 
expression,  resourceful  in  defense,  the 
cause  of  truth  has  ever  been  upheld 
by  him.  In  the  Civil  war  he  was  a 
bold  fighter  in  defense  of  the  South- 
ern cause,  and  as  a  soldier  of  Jesus 
he  has  been  still  more  zealous  in  de- 
fense of  the  principles  dear  to  the 
heart  of  Primitive  Baptists.  For  a 
number  of  years  while  located  in  Ten- 
nessee, he  was  editor  and  proprietor 
of  a  religious  periodical  entitled  "Her- 
ald of  Truth."  In  1S90  he  moved  to 
Virginia  and  consolidated  this  paper 
with  Zions  Advocate  and  published 
same  for  eight  years.  He  is  now — 
1908 — the  beloved  pastor  of  Mill 
Creek,  Thumb  Run,  Happy  Creek  and 
Upperville  churches,  and  has  for  a 
number  of  years,  served  as  Moderator 
of  the  Ketocton  Association. 


T.   B.   DALTON. 

Dalton,  Elder  T.  B.,  of  Corinth,  Miss 
son  of  T.  S.  Dalton,  Sr.,  and  Angeline 
Dalton,  was  born  in  Robertson  County, 
Tenn.,  November  22,  1842,  professed  a 
hope  in  the  Saviour  in  the  year  1863, 
united  with  the  Old  School  Baptist 
Church  about  1875.  and  began  preach- 
ing at  Union  City,  Tenn.  about  the  year 
1S84,  was  ordained  a  few  years  later 
and  has  since  served  from  one  to  four 
churches.  Elder  Dalton  is  a  brother 
of  T.  S.  Dalton  of  Front  Royal,  Va.,  and, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


83 


like  him,  knows  nothing  in  the  eternal 
salvation  of  sinners  save  Christ  and 
Him  crucified.  He  is  zealous  in  the 
cause  of  truth  and  truly  lives  in  the 
hearts  of  his  people  among  whom  he 
labors. 


JAMES  SAMUEL  DAMERON. 

Dameron,    Elder    James    Samuel,    of 

North  Carolina.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  born  on  September  27, 
1836,  and  died  November  15,  1907; 
was  married  to  Miss  Kate  Roberts, 
1860  and  was  baptized  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church, 
by  Elder  Wilson,  May  1860.  Prior  to 
that  time  he  was  a  Methodist  and  was 
very  self-righteous.  At  one  time  he 
threatened  to  punish  one  of  his  school- 
mates at  school  because  he  disturbed 
him  during  his  devotional  hour.  He 
would  not  stop  and  eat  wild  grapes 
along  the  road  when  he  was  hungry  if 
he  had  not  asked  for  them,  but  the 
Lord  showed  him  that  all  of  his  right- 
eousness was  as  filthy  rags  and  that  he 
must  be  clothed  in  the  righteousness  of 
faith  to  see  God  in  peace.  In  his 
younger  days  he  acquired  a  classical 
education  and  after  his  return  home 
from  the  war  he  became  a  teacher  and 
many  will  remember  him  in  that  capac- 
ity. He  was  a  man  of  much  force  and 
always  did  what  he  felt  to  be  his  duty 
with  his  might.  During  the  Civil  war 
he  held  some  responsible  positions. 
His  life  was  such  as  to  command  re- 
spect from  those  in  the  church  and  out 
of  the  church  so  that  his  friends  were 
very  many.  From  the  time  of  his  ordi- 
nation in  the  summer  of  1868,  he  con- 
tinued steadfastly  in  the  apostle's 
doctrine,  comforting  the  mourner, 
strengthening  the  weak,  encouraging 
the  diffident,  for  more  than  thirty 
years.  But  the  servants  of  God,  as  well 
as  others,  are  flesh  and  blood.  Paul 
was  at  one  time,  nigh  unto  death;  and 
all  of  us  must  die  and  return  to  the 
dust.  His  nervous  system  gave  way 
and  he  was  deprived  of  his  reason.  His 
last  effort  towards  the  public  ministry 
was  at  Lickfork  on  the  first  Sunday  in 
July,  1900.  Soon  after  that  he  was 
taken  to  the  State  hospital  at  Morgan- 
ton.  I  have  been  informed  that  even 
there  when  his  mind  could  be  diverted 
from  his  nervous  condition  he  would 
break  out  in  preaching  the  blessed 
gospel. 


County,  Ga.,  was  married  to  Miss 
Mary  Hodge,  1826,  who  bore  him 
fourteen  children.  After  her  death 
was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Denard  in 
1855,  who  bore  him  nine  children. 
He  received  a  hope  in  Christ,  joined 
the  Primitive  Baptists  in  his  young 
days  and  was  afterward  set  apart  to 
the  deacon's  office,  and  later  was  li- 
censed to  preach.  It  is  said  that  he 
was  the  first  man  in  his  state  that 
made  a  motion  in  church  conference 
to  shut  the  church  doors  against  hired 
prachers.  This  was  in  Marshall 
Church,  Clark  County,  Ga.,  beffore  the 
Missionary  trouble.  He  died  in  his 
ninety-first  year  in  the  full  triumph  of 
faith  after  a  long  life  of  usefulness. 


1*i*V 


ALFRED    DANIEL. 

Daniel,     Elder    Alfred,     of    Georgia,   I 
was  born  February  17,  1807,  in  Clark  | 


JOHN    H.    DANIEL. 

Daniel,  Elder  John  H.  The  subject 
of  this  memoir  was  born  September 
17,  1801,  in  Green  County,  N.  C,  and 
died  April  16,  1S73.  His  parents  were 
Stephen  and  Huldah  Daniel.  His 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Smock. 
Elder  Daniel  moved  from  Green  to 
Edgecombe  County  in  1S24,  and  set- 
tled near  Tarboro.  In  1825,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Maniza  Long.  There 
were  born  unto  them  thirteen  child- 
ren. He  was  one  of  the  most  active 
and  industrious  men  and  a  very  suc- 
cessful farmer.  He  passed  through  the 
trials  and  vicissitudes  of  the  late  war 
among  the  States,  with  great  patience 
and  usefulness.  He  frequently  visited 
the  Confederate  camps  during  that 
dreadful  conflict,  and  administered  to 
the  necessities  of  the  soldiers,  and  his 
services  will  long  be  remembered  by 
soldiers  and  their  families.  About  a 
year  prior  to  his   death  he  was  mar- 


84 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


ried  the  second  time  to  Mrs.  Susan 
A.  Jones,  of  South  Quay,  Virginia. 
Elder  Daniel  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Thomas  Dupree  in  1829,  and  united 
with  the  church  at  Conetoe,  was  or- 
dained deacon  1831,  liberated  to  exer- 
cise his  gifts  1833,  and  in  1837  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
by  Elders  Thomas  Dupree  and  Wil- 
liam Hyman.  Elder  Daniel  manifested 
the  same  zeal  and  industry  in  the 
church  that  he  had  in  worldly  mat- 
ters. His  house  was  a  home  at  all 
times  for  the  stranger  and  the  needy, 
especially  for  his  brethren  in  Christ. 
He  served  Conehoe  Spring,  Green, 
Great  Swamp,  Old  Town  Creek,  Wi1-- 
son,  Williams,  Cross  Roads  and  other 
churcnes  during  his  ministry-  Seldom 
do  we  find  a  minister  more  useful  or 
zealous  in  the  cause  of  truth,  or  more 
highly  esteemed  than  was  Elder  Dan- 
iel. 


G.  T.  DANIEL. 


Daniel,  Elder  G.  T.,  son  of  Elder  John 
H.  Daniel,  was  born  near  Tarboro,  N. 
C,  1847,  and  died  near  Wilson,  N.  C, 
1894.  He  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of 
Calvin  and  Winnifred  Woodard,  1871, 
Experiencing  a  hope  in  Christ,  and 
drawn  by  love  to  the  people  of  God, 
Brother  Daniel  was  baptized  by  Elder 
C.  B.  Hassell,  1876.  In  1877,  he  was  li- 
censed to  exercise  in  public.  Deeply 
feeling  his  inability  and  unworthiness, 
he  put  off  for  fourteen  years  his  im- 
pressions to  preach;  but  he  was  at  last 
driven,  by  sore  and  manifold  trials  and 
afflictions,  to  take  up  this  heavy  cross 
in  1891,  and  he  was,  in  August,  1893 
ordained  by  Elders  Win.  A.  Ross  and  S. 
Hassell  to  the  administration  of  gospel 
ordinances.  His  ministry,  through 
brief,  was  exceedingly  tender  and 
touching.  His  chief  desire  was  to 
speak  to  the  comfort  of  the  afflicted 
people  of  God;  and  that  desire  was 
wonderfully  fulfilled.  The  Lord  rained 
down  showers  of  blessings  under  the 
gracious  words  of  His  servant,  and  it 
was  seldom,  when  he  preached,  that 
tears  of  love  and  joy  did  not  flow 
from  many  eyes.  The  only  revenge 
that  he  wished  from  any  one  who  had 
seemed  to  be  his  enemy,  was  to  be 
enabled  to  speak  to  his  spiritual  good 
and  comfort.  Elder  Hassel  says  of 
him:  "Our  wives  were  sisters,  and  few 
persons  knew  him  better  than  I;  and  I 
rejoice  to  say  that  not  only  was  he  a 
most  industrious  man  but  he  was  also 
a  truthful,  honest,  temperate,  virtuous, 
kind,  gentle,  humble,  self-denying.  God- 
fearing and  God-loving  man,  who  had 


living  grace  while  he  lived,  and  dying 
grace  when  he  came  to  die  and  whose 
body,  I  believe,  sleeps  in  Jesus,  while 
his  ransomed  spirit  reigns  with  his 
Lord  in  glory." 


W.    R.    DARDEN. 

Darden,  Elder  W.  R.,  of  Bailey, 
Miiss.,  This  young  minister  was  or- 
dained about  two  years  ago  and  feels 
that  there  is  nothing  in  his  life  worth 
mentioning  except  God's  abounding 
love  and  mercy  toward  him.  and  like 
many  others  to  whom  the  editor  ap- 
pealed for  information  relative  to  life 
and  labors,  felt  unworthy  of  notice, 
or  for  other  reasons  withheld  the  in- 
formation desired. 


SAMUEL    L.    DARK. 

Dark,  Elder  Samuel  L.,  of  Macomb, 
111.,  was  born  in  Chatham  County,  N. 
C,  in  1808.  He  was  ordained  Septem- 
ber 22,  1846,  and  ever  since  has  been 
a  devoted  sacrificing  servant  of  his 
Lord  and  Master,  his  services  being 
highly  appreciated  by  all  the  churches. 
He  is  noted  even  in  his  old  age  for  his 
wonderful  memory,  This  brief  sketch 
from  Elder  Cash's  book,  1896.  Further 
information  could  not  be  secured. 


S.    E.   DAVIS. 

Davis,  Elder  S.  E.,  of  Iron  City,  Ga., 
was  born  in  Early  County,  Ga.,  January 
1,  1S46  and  died  January  24,  1902.  He 
was  married  to  Miss  Zelphy  Boat- 
wright,  December  23,  1869.     To  them 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


85 


were  born  five  daughters  and  one  son. 
The  editor  found  it  impossible  to  get  a 
full  account  of  Elder  Davis's  life  and 
labors  in  the  ministry. 


JOHN   A.   DAVIS. 

Davis,  Elder  John  A.,  was  born  in 
Bullock  County,  Ga.,  12th  October, 
1812.  His  parents  died  when  he  was 
young  and  left  him  to  battle  against 
an  unfriendly  world.  Many  were  the 
trials  ofi  his  youth,  but  the  Lord 
brought  him  through  them  all,  gave 
him  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  and  he 
united  with  Upper  Black  Creek 
Church  in  the  fall  of  1839,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Wm.  Moore.  He 
commenced  preaching  in  1855,  and 
was  ordained  in  1859  by  Elders  John 
G.  Williams,  Andrew  Kicklighter  and 
Nathan  Robbers,  at  Lower  Black 
Creek,  Bryant  County,  Ga.  He  was 
married  to  Drusilla  Sikes,  2Sth  June, 
1840,  by  whom  he  had  twelve  chil- 
dren. He  married  the  second  time  to 
Mary  A.  Thompson,  23rd  October, 
1881.  He  departed  this  life  lGth  June, 
1887.  One  who  knew  him  well,  says: 
"I  do  not  feel  able  to  utter  half  the 
praise  he  was  entitled  to.  His  good 
qualities  were  many,  and  to  God  be 
all  the  praise  for  his  spotless  life.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  church  forty- 
nine  years,  and  a  minister  thirty-three 
years;  was  a  plain,  straightforward 
preacher  of  the  simple  gospel  of 
Christ,  sound  and  faithful,  meek  and 
sincere." 


WILLIAM    DAVIS. 

Davis,  Elder  William  (1798-1883)  — 
of  Ashley,  Mo.,  at  the  age  of  thirteen 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church,  called  Buck  Creek,  in  Shelby 
County,  Ky.,  and  about  the  year  1822 
was  ordained  deacon  and  then  minis- 
ter; was  ordained  by  Elders  P.  J. 
Burris  and  others,  and  moved  from 
Kentucky  to  Missouri  about  1837,  and 
served  Siloam  Church  as  pastor  about 
forty  years;  was  never  known  to 
swerve  from  the  truth  in  faith  or 
practice;  always  ready,  with  Bible  in 
hand,  which  he  called  the  "Jerusalem 
Blade,"  to  defend  the  glorious  doc- 
trine of  the  cross — salvation  by  grace, 
— and  that  alone  without  works  or 
means.  He  was  a  faithful  witness  for 
Jesus  and  after  a  long  life  of  useful- 
ness died  in  his  eighty-sixth  year, 
August,  1883. 


HENRY  DAVIS. 

Davis,  Elder  Henry  (1843-1906)  first 
united  with  the  United  Baptist  organi- 
zation, but  soon  the  Lord  impressed 
him  with  the  feeling  that  he  was  not 
in  the  Church  of  Christ.  For  quite  a 
while  he  was  greatly  troubled,  was  led 
about  and  instructed  by  Him  who  leads 
the  blind  by  a  way  they  know  not.  He 
left  his  former  connection  and  united 
with  the  Old  School  Baptists  where  he 
remained  until  his  death.  He  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Gabriel  Riffe,  soon  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry  and 
was  an  humble,  faithful  soldier  of 
Jesus. 


JOHN   H.  DAVIS. 

Davis,  Elder  John  H.,  of  Terrall 
County,  La.,  born  September  22,  1834, 
and  died  May  12,  1888.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Amanda  Daniel  November  15, 
1857;  united  with  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists at  Beulah  Church,  1872;  was 
baptized  by  Elder  T.  K.  Pursley  and 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
1873,  by  Elders  W.  Hubbard  and  J.  J. 
Davis.  He  was  a  sound,  doctrinal 
preacher — always  contending  for  free 
and  sovereign  grace.  He  served  his 
home  church  from  the  time  of  his  or- 
dination until  his  death  and  also  served 
other  churches.  As  a  man,  he  was  high- 
ly esteemed  by  the  people  of  his  com- 
munity; was  a  good  and  loving  hus- 
band, a  kind  and  affectionate  father, 
an  humble  and  devoted  christian.  He 
loved  the  truth  as  believed  and  preach- 
ed by  Primitive  Baptists,  and  was  a 
strong  believer  in  the  doctrine  of  elec- 
tion and  the  covenant  of  grace.  He 
expressed  a  willingness  to  die  and  be 
with  Jesus  his  Saviour. 


COLEMAN    B.    DAWSON. 

Dawson,  Elder  Coleman  B.  (1808- 
1890),  of  Illinois.  After  nearly  forty 
years  in  the  ministry,  Elder  Dawson 
fell  at  his  post  in  the  full  triumphs  of 
faith  in  his  eighty-second  year  of  age. 
He  was  born  in  Stafford  County,  Va., 
emigrated  with  his  parents  when  about 
nine  years  old  to  Kentucky;  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists  at  Elk 
Creek  Church,  Ky.  in  his  fourteenth 
year;  removed  to  Clark  County,  111., 
and  placed  his  membership  with  Con- 
cord Church  in  1834,  where  he  Was 
ordained  as  deacon  in  184S;  licensed 
to  preach  in  1851  and  ordained  in  1853' 
by    Elders  John  Shields.Joel  Vermillion 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


and  Reason  Martin.  Until  his  death  he 
was  in  the  service  of  churches  and  was 
very  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  every 
duty.  His  service  was  without  proper 
compensation,  though  cheerfully  rend- 
ered, and  he  labored  very  hard  for  the 
support  of  his  family.    He  traveled  but 


COLEMAN  B.   DAWSON 

little  preferring  to  labor  among  the 
churches  near  home.  He  was  highly 
regarded  by  his  neighbors  and  one  who 
did  not  believe  his  doctrine  said  of  him 
after  his  death  that  "his  life  had  been 
a  sermon." 


L.   J.   DEBERRY. 

Deberry,  Elder  L.  J.,  was  born  in 
Edgecombe  County,  N.  C,  April  16, 
1834.  His  parents  were  members  of 
the  Methodist  Church  and  he  was 
taught  to  believe  their  doctrine  and 
when  about  sixteen  years  of  age  was 
sprinkled,  received  into  the  church 
and  remained  for  about  eight  years. 
But  God,  who  in  the  New  Covenant, 
writes  His  law  on  the  mind  and  in  the 
heart,  began  to  teach  himl,  revealed 
to  him  his  lost  and  ruined  condition 
in  self  and  self-righteousness,  gave 
him  a  hope  in  Jesus  and  a  desire 
to  follow  Him  in  baptism.  Not  being 
much  acquainted  with  the  Baptists  he 
was  led  into  the  Disciple  Church  and 
baptized  by  immersion  by  them,  but 
soon  became  dissatisfied  with  their 
doctrine,  began  a  careful  study  of  his 
Bible,  and  left  them  in  about  eigh- 
teen months.  In  1870  at  the  Kehukee 
Association  he  heard  Elder  St. 
John  of  New  York,  preach,  which  was 
food  to  his  soul,  was  made  to  feel  it 
his  duty   to   join   the   church   but   Cor 


twelve  years  was  disobedient.  How 
ever,  he  was  made  willing  by  God's 
power,  united  with  the  Baptists  in 
1882,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  J.  W. 
Johnson.  He  was  soon  licensed  and 
later  was  ordained  by  Elders  D.  W. 
Tapping  and  David  Carter.  He  is  at 
present  serving  the  church  in  Bath, 
N.  C.,  which  was  organized  by  him; 
is  in  his  seventy-fifth  year  of  age, 
strong  in  the  faith  with  a  precious 
hope  of  eternal  life. 


REMER  DEKLE. 

Dekle,    Elder    Remer,    was    born    in 

Emanuel  County,  Ga.,  February  9,  1858 
and  died  January  13,  1903.  He  was  a 
son  of  John  and  Mary  Dekle.  His 
mother  was  a  devoted  Baptist.  His 
father  was  not  a  member  of  any  chris- 
tian order.  However,  he  seemed  to 
love  the  truth.  Elder  Dekle  was  reared 
on  the  farm  and  was  talented  for  that 
occupation.  After  his  marriage  he 
moved  to  Bullock  County  Ga.,  and  be- 
gan farming  on  a  scientific  plan,  using 
improved  implements  and  being 
economical,  he  made  a  success  in  life. 
While  young  he  loved  the  dancing  floor 
and  many  other  amusements.  Never- 
theless he  was  moral  and  seemed  to  be 
blessed  with  a  pious  nature.  He  was 
married  to  Mary  Jane  Bowen,  1879; 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  at  Lower  Lots  Creek  in  1880, 
ordained  to  the  office  of  deacon  in  1895, 
and  filled  that  office  to  the  satisfaction 
of  his  brethren.  Soon  after  his  estab- 
lishment as  deacon  he  began  to  exhort 
his  brethren,  and  to  admonish  them  to 
duty.  Following  on  this  line  for  some 
time  he  at  length  expressed  himself  as 
feeling  to  have  a  call  to  preach  the 
word.  His  church,  having  all  confidence 
in  his  sincerity,  liberated  him  to  exer- 
cise his  gift  wherever  the  Spirit  di- 
rected. He  was  a  constant  visitor  to 
the  churches  in  his  neighborhood  and 
on  account  of  his  faithfulness  and  in- 
tegrity he  soon  won  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  his  brethren  in  all  the 
churches.  He  was  ordained  as  elder 
in  1902.  The  relation  of  his  call  to  the 
ministry  struck  the  brotherhood  with 
great  force,  and  many  tears  of  joy  were 
shed  on  that  memorable  occasion.  He 
was  faithful  in  his  call,  and  earnestly 
contended  for  fthQ  Primitive  faith, 
begging  his  brethren  to  stand  by  the 
old  land-marks  and  live  in  righteaous- 
ness.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
serving  two  churches,  Nevil  Creek,  and 
his  home  church,  Lower  Lots  Creek. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


87 


MOSES    HAMPTON    DENMAN. 

Denman,  Elder  Moses  Hampton. 
This  faithful  minister  was  born  in 
Franklin  County,  Ga.,  in  1802,  and 
was  brought  up  on  a  farm.  His  pa- 
rents taught'  him  honesty  and  indus- 
try. He  was  naturally  bright,  intel- 
lectually, and  made  good  use  of  his 
limited  opportunities  for  an  educa- 
tion. Early  in  life  he  joined  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church  and  was  soon 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  ministry. 
About  the  year  1833,  or  '34,  he  moved 
and  settled  near  Marietta,  Cobb  Coun- 
ty, Ga.  About  that  time  trouble  arose 
in  the  church  on  the  Mission  ques- 
tion. He  contended  for  the  word  of 
God,  "Stand  ye  in  the  ways,  and  see, 
and  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where  is 
the  good  way,  and  walk  therein,  and 
ye  shall  find  rest  for  your  souls," 
Jerm.  6:16.  Elder  Denman  proved 
himself  a  valliant  soldier  of  the  cross 
by  following  the  "old  paths"  and  con- 
tending alone  for  the  doctrine  and 
practice  of  the  Bible.  In  1850  he  mov- 
ed to  Texas  and  settled  in  Bell  Coun- 
ty, where  he  remained  until  his  Mast- 
er's call  to  come  home,  February, 
1885.  Elder  Denman  was  a  faithful 
minister  for  more  than  half  a  cen- 
tury and  proved  his  faith  by  his 
works. 


MOSES    DEWITT    DENMAN. 

Denman,  Elder  Moses  De  Witt(Mj.  D.), 
son  of  Jackson  H.  and  Ann  W.  Denman 
was  born  at  Lavissa,  Cherokee  Coun- 
ty, Texas,  August  11,  1850,  and  died 
January  8,  1907.  In  early  childhood  he 
greatly  enjoyed  the  company  and  con- 
versation   of    Christian      people,    and 


was  ofttn  moved  to  tears  when  the 
subject"  of  Jesus  and  His  crucifixion 
was  mentioned.  He  was  never  married 
but  remained  with  his  parents  and 
proved  a  dutiful  son;  acquired  a  liber- 
al education,  taught  school  and  earn- 
ed money  with  which  to  attend  col- 
lege and  graduated  with  honors  in  the 
medical  department  of  the  University 
of  Tennessee;  located  in  Beel  County, 
Texas,  and  practiced  medicine  for  fif- 
teen or  twenty  years.  In  1865  he  pro- 
fessed a  hope  in  Christ,  joined  the 
Old  School  Baptists  at  Cedar  Grove 
Church  and  was  baptized  by  his 
grandfather,  Elder  Moses  H  Denman; 
was  licensed  to  preach  and  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  his  life  gave  up  his  chosen 
profession  in  order  to  be  free  to 
travel,  speak  and  write  of  Jesus  and 
His  salvation;  moved  to  Beaver  Coun- 
ty, Oklahoma,  in  1904,  and  soon  after 
began  the  publication  of  the  Old 
School  Baptist  Quarterly.  He  was 
very  zealous  in  the  cause  of  truth 
and  on  his  deathbed  told  his  brothers 
that  he  wanted  all  his  property  used 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Old  School  Bap- 
tists. His  writings  are  published  in 
book  form  and  can  be  had  of  A.  W. 
Denman,  Tyrone,  Oklahoma. 


EDMUND    DENNISON. 

Dennison,  Elder  Edmund,  of  Jack- 
sonville, W.  Va.,  was  born  in  Fauquier 
County,  1799,  removed  to  Harrison 
County,  now  West  Virginia,  with  his 
parents,  when  about  seven  years  of 
age,  and  lived  in  Harrison  County 
until  1876,  and  removed  thence  to  his 
son's,  in  Lewis  County,  W.  Va.,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He 
joined  the  Old  School  Baptist  Church, 
and  was  baptized  July  4,  1829,  and 
lived  a  worthy,  consistent  member 
among  them  until  his  death — never 
having  a  single  charge  brought 
against  him  in  any  way.  He  was 
licensed  to  preach  November  17,  1832, 
and  ordained  soon  thereafter;  was 
chosen  pastor  of  Mount  Zion  Church, 
1840,  which  position  he  filled  to  the 
perfect  satisfaction  of  all  the  church, 
and  was  well  beloved  and  highly  re- 
spected by  all  Old  School  Baptists  as 
far  as  his  acquaintance  reached.  He 
possessed  a  meek,  quiet,  and  peace- 
able disposition.  His  labors  were 
principally  in  West  Virginia  and 
Pennsylvania.  In  his  ministry  he  was 
firm  and  established  in  the  doctrines 
of  God,  our  Saviour,  holding  forth 
Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified,  the 
way,  the  truth,  and  the  life,  sound  in 
the   faith  and   firm   in  support  of  the 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


truth,  and  in  opposition  to  every  false 
way,  he  seemed  determined  to  know 
nothing  among  the  people  save  Jesus 
and   him    crucified. 


GABRIEL   DENNY. 

Denny,  Elder  Gabriel,  of  Pinnacle, 
N.  O,  was  born  December  20,  1842, 
raised  on  a  farm,  entered  the  South- 
ern army  in  his  twentieth  year,  had  a 
great  desire  to  do  good  from  his 
youth  and  felt  he  was  getting  on  very 
well  with  God  and  man.  But  in  April, 
1862,  he  was  convicted  of  sin,  shown 
the  corruption  of  his  heart,  the  ex- 
ceeding sinfulness  of  sin  and  for 
about  two  years  had  no  deliverance 
from  Mt.  Sinai's  fiery  law.  But  he 
who  brought  him  in  this  condition  re- 
vealed to  him  that  "salvation  is  of  the 
Lord,"  gave  him  a  hope  in  Jesus  and 
put  a  new  song  of  praise  in  his 
mouth.  He  united  with  the  church, 
given  a  dispensation  of  the  gospel, 
was  ordained  and  has  since  had  the 
care  of  churches.  Elder  Denny  is  now 
serving  Ararat,  Volunteer,  Rock 
Spring  and  Liberty  churches,  is  faith- 
ful and  zealous,  desires  to  live  sober- 
ly, righteously  and  Godly  in  this  pres- 
ent world  and  end  his  pilgrimage  with 
joy. 


A.   M.    DENNY. 

Denny,  Elder  A.  M.,  of  Pinnacle,  N. 
C.  Elder  Denny  is  the  beloved  Moder- 
ator of  the  Fisher's  River  Association 
and  has  for  about  forty  years  had  the 
care  of  one  or  more  churches  of  this 
Association.  He  was  born  in  Surry 
County,  N.  G,  April  19,  1847,  became 


subject  to  military  duty  in  18G4, 
joined  the  Southern  army,  was  captur- 
ed by  Union  forces,  sent  to  prison 
at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  and  while 
in  prison,  in  the  month  of  December, 
1864,  first  saw  the  exceeding  sinful- 
ness of  sin  and  convicted  of  it.  On  his 
return  home  after  the  war  he  pro- 
fessed a  hope  in  Christ,  joining  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Ararat, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  John  Jones 
in  May,  1866.  He  made  his  first  at- 
tempt to  preach  June,  1867,  and  was 


A.   M.    DENNY 

in  1869  ordained  by  Elders  Hugh 
Jones,  N.  Alberty,  T.  J.  Lawton,  John 
Jones,  Wm  Moran,  A.  Moran,  H.  Cain 
and  Wm.  B.  Gates,  Elder  Denny  has 
served  Fisher's  River  Association  as 
assistant  clerk  seven  years,  clerk 
twenty-eight  years  and  Moderator 
since  1905.  He  has  married  more  than 
a  hundred  couples,  baptized  many 
persons  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
churches  and  is  highly  esteemed  by 
his  people. 


O.   J.    DENNY. 

Denny,  Elder  O.  J.,  son  of  Elder 
Gabriel  Denny,  of  Greensboro,  N.  C, 
was  born  November  30,  1871;  united 
with  Primitive  Baptists  1893;  ordain- 
ed to  the  gospel  ministry  in  1904  by 
the  church  at  Pilot  mountain;  moved 
to  Greensboro  in  1904,  and  became  a 
member  of  the  church  at  Greensboro 
when  organized  in  November,  1907. 
Elder  Denny  is  well  beloved  and  is 
a  promising  gift  to  the  church.  He 
modestly  writes  of  himself:  "I  am 
serving  Greensboro  and  Deep  Creek 
churches     as   pastor     and     other   ap- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


89 


pointments  are  made  as  often  as  ex- 
pedient. I  have  but  little  to  say  of  my- 
self    or     my     accomplishments,     but 


O     J.    DENNY 

much  to  say  of  the  wisdom,  power  and 
dominion  of  God.  If  I  glory  I  must 
glory  in  the  Lord." 


C.    F.    DENNY. 

Denny,  Elder  C.  F.,  of  Greensboro, 
N.  C,  was  born  in  Surry  County,  N. 
C,  March  the  14th,  1869;  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Pilot 
mountain,  May  the  29th,  1S99;  was  or- 
dained to  the  v.ork  of  the  ministry 
December  26,  1904.  He  is  now  serving 
jointly  with  his  brother,  Elder  O.  J. 
Denny  the  church  at  Greensboro,  N. 
C.  This  church  holds  services  every 
Sunday.    Elder    Denny      also    has    the 


care  of  Lick  Fork  Church,  one  of  the 
oldest  organizations  in  this  part  of 
the  state.  He  is  satisfied  with  the  doc- 
trine and  practice  of  the  Apostolic 
church  as  maintained  by  the  great 
body  of  Primitive  or  Old  School  Bap- 
tists and  wants  no  new,  unauthorized 
things  in  the  church. 


J.    C.    DENTON. 

Denton,  Elder  J.  C,  of  Maud,  Texas, 
was  born  in  Paulding  County,  Ga., 
Ju.y  2,  1845,  was  baptized  into  the 
fellowship  of  Raman  Church,  in  Fay- 
ette County,  by  Elder  Johnson  Pate  in 
November,  1865,  was  ordained  to  the 
ministry  in  Freestone  County,  Texas, 
by  Elders  James  Beaver,  and  G.  YV. 
McDonald  in  May,  1871.  His  first  ser- 
mon was  preached  the  second  Sunday 
in  March,  1869,  from  Heb.  4:8,  9;  his 
fortieth  anniversary  sermon  (second 
Sunday  in  March,  1909,),  from  2  Tim. 
4:1,  2;  as  a  minister  he  was  born  in 
the  beginning  of  the  conflict  between 
Elder  Ben  Parker  (advocate  of  Par- 
kerite  Twoseedism")  and  Elder  J.  T. 
Seely  (strong  opposer  of  said  doc- 
trine) and  he  (Denton)  became  in- 
volved in  that  conflict,  and  in  a  writ- 
ten discussion  obtained  such  expres- 
sions from  Elder  Parker  as  greatly 
conduced  to  a  definite  statement  of 
said  heresy  and  made  its  exposure  the 
more  easy.  From  that  time  Two-Seed- 
ism  began  to  lose  its  stronghold 
among  the  Primitive  Baptists  of 
Texas,  and  is  now  almost  extinct.  In 
1896  Elder  Denton  publiciy  took  the  po- 
sition that  there  is  neither  precedent 
nor  example  in  the  New  Testament 
for  that  institution  among  Primitive 
Baptists  known  as  "organized  asso- 
ciations." And  as  he  does  not  make 
his  views  on  this  question  a  test  of 
fellowship,  they  are  sustained  by  our 
leading  elders  generally.  But  this  is 
not  to  oppose  annual  associational 
meetings  for  the  worship  of  God  and 
the  mutual  edification  of  the  saints. 
Elder  Denton  is  an  able  writer  and  a 
frequent  correspondent  of  our  relig- 
ious papers  and  his  conciliatory  posi- 
tion on  various  mooted  questions  have 
been  endorsed  by  most  of  our  ablest 
Elders  among  them  such  ministers  as 
Hassell,  Oliphant,  Thompson,  Dalton. 
Chick  and  Waters.  Elder  H.  White, 
an  old  associate  in  the  ministry,  was 
long  and  deeply  impressed  that  upon 
Eider  Denton  would  be  laid  the  work 
of  reconciliation  between  divided 
Baptists  (especially  in  Texas),  and 
just   a    short    while    before    his    death 


90 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


visited  him  especially  to  encourage 
him  in  that  undertaking.  This  being 
in  harmony  with  Elder  Denton's  own 
mind,  he  has  for  many  months  been 
in  the  fie'd,  and  humbly  and  quietly 
working  in  that  way,  and  has  met 
with  reasonable  encouragement.  A 
door  seems  to  have  been  opened  unto 
him  as  never  before,  and  he  humbly 
hopes  that  his  last  work  on  earth  may 
be  that  of  the  peacemaker.  "Blessed 
are  the  peacemakers." 


THOMAS    DICKENS. 

Dickens,  Elder  Thomas  (1814-1908), 
of  Virginia,  was  born  in  Brayson 
County,  Va.,  joined  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists at  Laurel  Fork,  about  1837,  was 
baptized  by  Elder  William  Lawson, 
and  commenced  preaching  about  1853. 
Was  licensed  in  1855  and  ordained  in 
1856,  by  Elders  William  Lawson,  Dan- 
iel Conner,,  Claiborne  Plaster,  and 
Thomas  S.  Vass.  He  was  chosen  pas- 
tor of  Indian  Creek,  Concord,  New 
Hope,  Fellowship  and  Panther  Creek 
churches,  and  labored  among  many 
others;  was  clerk  of  the  New  River 
Association  for  a  long  period  of  time, 
and  was  later  chosen  moderator  of 
the  Association.  He  served  as  moder- 
ator until  he  was  eighty  years  of  age. 
Elder  Dickens  was  very  successful  in 
the  ministry,  and  a  safe  and  consider- 
ate counsellor.  He  preached  till  he 
was  ninety  years  of  age,  and  was  in 
the  ministry  about  fifty  years.  He 
taught  school  for  a  number  of  years, 
was  once  a  land  assessor,  and  a  good 
farmer.  He  was  a  great  entertainer, 
given  to  hospitality  and  a  peacemak- 
er. His  favorite  admonition  in  his  old 
age  was  to  remember  our  Creator  in 
the  days  of  our  youth,  before  the 
days  of  affliction  or  evil  come,  when 
we  will  be  too  old  and  feeble  to  enjoy 
meeting  our  brethren,  or  to  see  them 
or  to  preach  or  to  hear  preaching. 
During  the  Civil  war  and  for  a  while 
thereafter,  he  stood  almost  alone  in 
defense  of  the  Primitive  faith  in  his 
section.  After  peace  had  smiled  on 
our  land.,  he  had  great  joy  to  see 
many  corning  home  to  the  church, 
and  the  broken  walls  of  Zion  built  up 
again.  He  died  in  the  ninety-fourth 
year  of  his  age,  full  of  faith  and  hope. 

AMOS    DICKERSON. 

Dickerson,  Elder  Amos,  was  born  in 
Floyd  County,  Va.,  May  16,  1832.  He 
is    of    a    sturdy    stock    of    citizenship 


characterized  by  their  industry,  hon- 
esty and  unswerving  integrity.  His 
early  opportunities  were  limited  so 
that  he  grew  to  manhood  with  but. 
little  or  no  education,  and  with  only 
muscle  and  brain  with  which  to  wage 
the  battle  of  life.  In  1850  he  married 
Miss  Maxy  Slusher,  who,  though  she 
never  joined  the  church,  was  a  com- 
panion indeed,,  entering  with  full  sym- 
pathy into  the  struggles  of  life  with 
her    husband,    and    like    thousands    of 


AMOS  DICKERSON 

Southern  wives  and  mothers,  while 
the  husband  and  father  was  in  the 
army  she  went  to  the  field  and  by  the 
sweat  of  her  face  supplied  her  chil- 
dren with  bread.  Elder  Dickerson  pro- 
fessed a  hope  in  Christ  and  joined 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at 
White  Oak  Grove,  Floyd  County,  Va., 
in  January,  1852,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Owen  Sumner.  Early  in  the  war 
he  enlisted  in  54th  Va.  Regiment  and 
served  his  state  for  more  than  three 
years.  While  thus  engaged  as  a  sol- 
dier of  his  country  he  was  being  en- 
listed as  a  soldier  of  the  cross,  there- 
fore having  returned  from  the  Civil 
strife  in  December,  1865,  he  began 
to  exercise  a  gift  in  the  ministry,  and 
in  1867  he  was  ordained  to  the  full 
functions  of  the  gospel  ministry.  His 
services  were  soon  in  liberal  demand 
both  to  the  service  of  churches  as. 
pastor  and  to  preach  in  places  be- 
yond. In  at  least  three  places  the 
brush  was  cleared  away,  a  rude  stand 
was  erected  and  he  preached  the  gos- 
pel to  the  people,  and  baptized  those 
who  evidenced  a  work  off  faith,  and 
churches  were  established  at  these 
places,  and  for  nearly  forty  years  he 
served  from  three  to  five  churches. 
His  has  been  truly  the  work  of  a  pas- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


91 


tor.  It  required  a  travel  on  horseback 
a  distance  of  128  miles  a  month  to 
serve  the  churches  of  his  charge. 
Among  the  many  whom  he  has  bap- 
tized are  six  elders,  viz:  P.  G.  Lester, 
David  Sumner,  Wm.  F.  Simmons,  Z. 
T.  Turner,  H.  V.  Cole  and  C.  W. 
Vaughn,  and  might  well  be  called  a 
pastor  of  elders,  there  being  as  many 
as  ten  who  held  their  membership  in 
churches  which  he  served.  He  also 
was  favored  to  baptize  his  aged  father 
at  the  age  of  87.  At  one  time  he  serv- 
ed his  county  in  the  legislature  for 
six  successive  years.  He  is  now  in  the 
seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age  and 
in  his  declining  years  he  is  yet  active 
in  the  ministry  of  the  word  to  the  edi- 
fication of  the  saints,  and  enjoys 
abiding  assurances  of  the  confidence 
of  the  brethren  and  of  the  people 
among  whom  he  dwells  as  minister 
and  citizen. 


J.  J.   DICKSON. 

Dickson,  Elder  J.  J.,  was  a  native  of 
Georgia,  but  came  to  Alabama  when 
young,  and  was  even  then  a  very 
promising  and  popular  minister,  as 
well  as  an  energetic  and  prosperous 
farmer.  He  was  a  Baptist  before  the 
division,  but  when  the  sifting  came 
was  left  steadfastly  with  the  Old  or- 
der of  Baptists.  He  was  quite  a  con- 
soling and  comforting  preacher  to 
many  poor  and  disconsolate  ones  of 
the  flock  of  God.  But  with  all  his  excel- 
lencies and  gifts  by  grace,  he  was  but 
a  man  of  infirmity  like  his  brethren 
He  was  naturally  peculiarly  sensitive, 
easily  hurt  in  his  feelings  and  hard  to 
get  over  it.  And  this  peculiar  trait  ot 
his  nature  soon  had  abundant  oppor- 
tunities for  development  and  growth 
by  the  peculiar  trials  he  had  to  meet. 
Suffice  it  to  say  that  he  got  into  trou- 
ble both  with  men  of  the  world  and 
with  his  church,  which  resulted  in 
his  exclusion,  and  for  twelve  years 
he  was  so  completely  turned  over  to 
Satan  that  he  thought  all  Primitive 
Baptists  were  his  enemies,  and  ac- 
tually tried  to  cultivate  hatred  rather 
than  love  for  them.  But  eventually 
the  Lord  brought  him  to  repentance, 
and  he  went  to  the  church  in  Bulloch 
County,  Ala.,  and  made  full  satisfac- 
tion and  was  heartily  restored,  and 
obtaining  a  letter  he  became  a  mem- 
ber at  Bethlehem,  near  Notasulga, 
Macon  County,  Ala.,  and  there  re- 
mained until  he  moved  four  years  ago 
to  Georgia,  preaching  around  among 
some  of  the  churches  with  whom  he 
had  labored  in  his  more  youthful  days 


in  the  ministry.  After  about  sixty 
years  in  the  ministry,  and  bearing 
many  trials  and  hardships,  he  sudden- 
ly fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  February  28, 
1892. 


S.   M.   DICKEY. 

Dickey,  Elder  S.  M.  (1825-1903),  of 
Virginia,  was  a  useful  man  in  his  day 
and  generation.  When  the  Civil  war 
broke  out,  he  raised  a  company  oi 
volunteers,  was  elected  captain,  join- 
ed the  51st  Virginia  Regiment,  soon 
promoted  to  major,  and  served  as  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Delegates. 
He  was  a  good  soldier,  honored  citi- 
zen and  kind  neighbor.  In  1866  he  was 
convicted  of  sin,  given  a  sweet  hope 
in  Jesus  and  united  with  the  church 
at  Saddle  Creek,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Wm.  Halsey;  was  ordained  as 
deacon  in  1867,  and  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in  1869.  His  con- 
version was  wonderful  and  his  service 
as  a  minister  full  of  zeal  and  love  for 
the  cause  of  truth.  He  fought  a  good 
fight. 


JESSE   DOBBS. 

Dobbs,  Elder  Jesse,  who  died  a  few 
years  ago,  was  a  member  of  the  Tom- 
bigby  Association,  and  served 
churches  within  the  bounds  of  this 
association  most  of  his  life.  He  was 
a  great  sufferer  from  rheumatism  and 
did  not  travel  among  the  churches 
much;  was  sound  in  the  faith,  and  be- 
loved by  his  flock.  A  full  sketch  of  his 
life  couM  not  be  obtained  by  the  editor. 


WILLIAM    DODD. 

Dodd,  Elder  William    (1811-1891),  of 
Ohio,    was    born     near     Rathfrieland, 


92 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Ireland,  and  became  a  Baptist  before 
coming  to  tbe  United  States.  After 
coming  to  tbis  country  he  sought  out 
the  people  of  his  faith,  and  remained 
identified  with  them  as  long  as  he 
lived.  He  -was  very  firm  and  uncom- 
promising on  doctrine,  and  the  editor 
regrets  that  data  for  a  complete 
sketch  of  his  life  and  labors  could  not 
be   obtained. 


GEORGE   DOUGLAS. 

Douglas,  Elder  George,  of  North 
Carolina,  was  noted  for  his  piety,  or- 
derly walk  and  godly  conversation  as 
well  as  for  his  ability  as  a  minister  of 
the  Old  School  order.  He  was  born 
1792  and  when  about  thirty  years  or 
age  united  with  Little  River  Church, 
in  Ash  County,  N.  C.  was  soon  bur- 
dened with  a  dispensation  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  ordained  in  1S2S.  Some  years 
after  this — about  1S34 — he  was  leu 
away  by  the  New  School  Baptists  in 
the  division — received  an  appointment 
from  a  Missionary  Board  to  preach 
one  year,  but  during  the  time,  he  be- 
came alarmed  by  seeming  to  lose  the 
spirit  of  preaching,  and  like  the  prod- 
igal son,  remembered  his  Father's 
house,  returned  to  his  former  church 
relationship,  made  acknowledgements 
of  his  error,  and  was  restored  in  full 
fellowship.  He  was  for  a  long  number 
of  years  Moderator  of  the  Mountain 
District  Association,  and  greatly  be- 
loved by  his  people.  He  died  in  1874, 
at  a  ripe  old  age,  crowned  with  a  long, 
useful    and   loyal    stewardship. 


IRA    E.    DOUTHIT. 

Douthit,  Elder  Ira  E.,  died  at  his 
home  in  Dorans'  Cove,  Jackson  Coun- 
ty, Ala,,  on  March  25.  1S96,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-seven  years.  At  the  time  of 
his  death  his  membership  was  with 
the  church  at  South  Pittsburg,  Tenn. 
His  ministerial  work  was  mostly  in 
the  bounds  of  the  Sequachee  Valley 
Association.  Further  particulars  of  his 
life  and  labors  were  not  obtainable. 


ADAM  F.  DOVE. 

Dove,  Elder  Adam  F.,  of  Van  Buren, 
O..  was  born  in  Rockingham  County, 
Va.  March  28,  1S53.  united  in  marriage 
with  Adaline  M.  Spitler  in  1S77,  and 
both  were  baptized  into  the  fellowship 


of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at 
Honey  Creek,  O.,  September,  1877,  and 
still  have  their  names  there,  among 
those  who  so  warmly  welcomed  them  in 
the  church  more  than  thirty-one  years 
ago.  He  was  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry  by  a  council  called  by  this 
church  in  April  1892.  He  is  now  pastor 
of  four  churches,  all  of  which  are  very 
dear  to  him  and  claim  his  earnest  de- 
sires for  their  good  and  are  in  peace 
and  prosperity.  Elder  Dove  was  given 
a  precious  hope  in  Jesus  in  July,  1877. 
The  arrows  of  conviction  sank  deep 
into  his  soul  and  long  and  severe  had 
been  the  struggle  in  a  futile  effort  to 


ADAM    F.    DOVE 

gain  the  favor  of  God  by  works,  but  at 
last  in  the  darkest  hour  of  his  life 
light  penetrated  his  being  and  his  soul 
was  made  to  praise  God  in  the  highest 
ecstacy  of  joy.  From  then  until  now 
hope  has  been  as  an  anchor  to  his  soul, 
and  as  age  approaches  and  the  warn- 
ings of  his  dissolution  sounds  in  his 
ear  he  still  finds  the  remembrances  of 
Gods'  mercies  and  his  never  failing 
promises  to  all  those  who  love  him  a 
sure  foundation  upon  which  to  rest  his 
hope  of  heaven.  He  writes:  "Should 
my  days  yet  be  many  or  few  'tis  my 
desire  to  spend  them  all  in  the  service 
of  my  Master  and  his  humble  follow- 
ers." 


B.    J.    DRIVER. 

Driver,  Elder  B.  J.,  of  Salem,  Texas, 
is  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Tes- 
tnient.  He  is  Moderator  of  the  Duffau 
Association  of  Primitive  Baptists  of 
Texas,  and  serves  Ebenezer  and  oth- 
er churches   of  this   association. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


93 


J.   H.   DRAPER. 

Draper,  Elder  J.  H.  (1846-1903),  of 
Arkansas,  was  born  in  the  state  of 
Mississippi;  Joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  at  Big  Springs,  Miss., 
in  the  year  1887,  and  after  two  years 
was  liberated  to  preach  ■  the  gospel. 
In  the  year  1893  he  moved  to  Drew 
County,  Ark.,  and  was  received  into 
the  church  at  Ephesus  by  letter,  and 
in  a  short  time  was  called  to  the  pas- 
toral care  of  the  church  at  Antioch 
in  Bradley  County,  Ark.,  not  being  or- 
dained the  church  at  Antioch  called 
for  his  ordination.  He  then  being  or- 
dained in  due  tinne;  and  in  the  year 
1895  his  membership  was  carried  by 
letter  to  Antioch,  where  he  remained 
until  his  death.  He  was  faithful  to  his 
charge  and  was,  without  provident- 
ially hindered,  at  his  post  of  duty, 
thus  setting  a  good  example  for  oth- 
ers. 


J.  D.  DRAUGHN. 

Draughn,  Elder  J.  D.,  of  Mt.  Airy,  N. 
C.  was  born  in  Surry  County,  Decem- 
ber 5,  1845;  raised  on  the  farm,  en- 
tered the  Southern  army,  1863,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In 
1870,  became  concerned  about  his  sin- 
ful condition  by  nature  and  was,  the 
following  year,  given  a  hope  in  the  Sav- 
iour, and  united  with  the  Baptists  at 
Stuarts  Creek.  Soon  he  was  impressed 
with  the  duty  of  preaching  and  was,  in 
1874,  ordained  by  Elders  John  Jones, 
T.  J.  Lawson,  A.  M.  Denny  and  others. 
Elder  Draughn  has  since  had  the  care 
of  churches,  has  baptized  between  two 
and  three  hundred,  gathered  together 
and  organized  three  new  churches,  and 
assisted  in  organization  of  three  others 


has  visited  churches  and  preached 
among  our  people  in  many  states,  trav- 
eling about  nine  thousand  miles  by 
rail  and  thousands  of  miles  by  private 
conveyances  and  on  foot  in  this  serv- 
ice. He  is  in  his  sixty-fourth  year  and 
desires  to  press  forward  in  work  of  the 
Master  and  to  finish  his  course  with 
joy  and  in  honor  to  his  name. 


L.  F.  DUDLEY. 

Dudley,  Elder  L.  F.,  of  North 
Pleasureville,  Ky.,  is  the  beloved  Mod- 
erator of  the  Mt.  Pleasant  Associa- 
tion of  the  Regular  Baptists  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  the  faithful  pastor  of 
churches  within  this  locality.  It  is  re- 
gretted that  a  more  extended  notice 
could  not  be  given  of  his  life  and  la- 
bors. 


JAS.   W.   DUDLEY. 

Dudley,  Elder  Jas.  W.,  of  Missouri, 
was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ky., 
June  12,  1S07,  and  was  married  to 
Miss  Virginia  Russell  December  15, 
1831.  He  united  w  ith  the  church  at 
Bryan's,  near  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  T.  P.  Dudley  in  the 
year  1836.  Subsequently  to  this,  hav- 
ing removed  his  residence  to  Rich- 
mond, Madison  County,  he  commenc- 
ed his  labors  in  the  ministry  in  that 
locality  and  on  a  call  from  the  church 
at  Bethel,  in  the  same  county,  he  was 
examined  by  a  presbytery  concerning 
his  call  from  God  and  qualifications 
for  the  ministry,  and  was  set  apart  to 
the  work  thereof,  and  to  the  pastorate 
of  that  church,  May  24,  1845.  From  that 
time  until  his  death  June  30,  1S80,  he 
was  in  the  service  of  his  Master,  and 
faithful  till  the  end. 


94 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MLNTISTERS 


AMBROSE   DUDLEY. 

Dudley,  Elder  Ambrose,  of  Ken- 
tncky,  was  born  1753  in  Virginia;  re- 
ceived a  hope  in  Christ  and  joined 
the  Old  Baptist  Church  of  Christ  dur- 
ing the  war  of  the  Revolution  and 
pretty  soon  embarked  in  the  gospel 
ministry..  In  the  Spring  of  1786  he 
moved  to  Kentucky,  settling  near 
Bryan's  Station,  Fayette  County;  be- 
ing ordained  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry before  leaving  Virginia.  He  de- 
voted a  great  deal  of  his  time  to 
preaching  the  gospel  and  his  labors 
were  greatly  blessed  to  the  gathering 
in,  organizing  and  building  up  visible 
churches  till  his  death  which  occur- 
red January  27,  1825,  in  his  seventy- 
third  year  of  age.  He  left  a  family  of 
fourteen  children — eleven  sens  and 
three  daughters — all  of  whom  mar- 
ried, eleven  joined  the  church  with 
him,  as  also  a  number  of  their  grand- 
children and  great-grandchildren.  His 
influence  was  great  for  good  and  he 
was  highly  esteemed  as  a  man  and  a 
minister. 


THOS.  P.  DUDLEY. 

Dudley,  Elder  Thos.  P.,  of  Kentucky, 
This  eminent  minister  was  born  May 
31,  1792;  joined  the  American  army 
and  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  was  severe- 
ly wounded  in  battle  January  18,  1813 
and  captured  by  the  Indians,  miracu- 
lously saved  from  being  tomahawked 
by  them,  found  favor  with  the  chief, 
ransomed  by  a  British  officer  and  by 
many  unexpected  favors  received  from 
strangers,  arrived  home,  recovered, 
and  was  with  General  Jackson  in  the 
famous  battle  of  New  Orleans,  January 


8,  1815.  Writing  to  his  father  of  this 
battle  he  said:  "The  Lord  has  blessed 
us  with  one  of  the  most  signal  victories 
ever  achieved."  Previous  to  and  dur- 
ing the  year  1818",  he  was  under  severe 
conviction  for  sin,  a  most  interesting 
account  of  which  is  published  in  the 
Primitive  Monitor,  February,  1907.  He 
was  brought  to  rejoice  in  Christ  as  a 
Saviour,  and  was,  in  March,  1820,  re- 


THOS.    P.    DUDLEY 

ceived  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Bryan 
Church  and  baptized  by  his  father, 
Elder  Ambrose  Dudley.  He  soon  after 
began  preaching  and  was  ordained  to 
the  full  functions  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry and  for  more  than  half  a  century 
was  a  faithful,  zealous  and  able  min- 
ister. He  died  in  his  ninety-second 
year  of  age  in  the  full  triumphs  of  a 
living  faith. 


E.  S.    DUDLEY. 

Dudley,  Elder  E.  S.  (1811-1891), 
died  at  his  home  near  Hutchison,  Ky., 
aged  eighty  years,  three  months  and 
ten  days.  The  Lord  blessed  him  with 
a  good  hope  through  grace  in  early 
life  and  led  him  to  take  up  his  cross 
in  joining  the  Old  Baptist  Church  at 
Bryan  Station,  Ky.,  1S35.  He  was  bap- 
tized by  his  uncle,  Thomas  P.  Dudley, 
and  remained  a  consistent  mem- 
ber of  Bryans  till  the  trouble 
arose  on  the  subject  of  regeneration 
when  he  (with  others)  was  dismissed 
by  certificate  April,  1849,  and  joined 
tne  Old  Baptist  Church  at  Stony 
Point,  Burbon  County,  Ky.,  May  of  the 
same  year.  He  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry  June  20,  1854,  in  the 
presence  of  Elders  W.  Lauck,  of  Vir- 
ginia;   S.  Williams,  of  Ohio;    Rickets, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


95 


Anderson,  Gossett,  J.  WJ.  Dudley,  Con- 
rad, Stephens,  Rash  and  John  Gilbert 
of  Kentucky.  He  was  an  able,  faithful 
minister  of  Jesus  and  in  his  whole 
ministry  ever  guarded  against  any 
system  of  doctrine  that  reflected  upon 
the  purity  and  holiness  of  God  as  op- 
posed to  sin,  or  that  detracted  from 
the  truth  that  the  sinner  was  the  sub- 
ject of  regeneration  and  salvation, 
and  that  salvation  was  purely  by  the 


E.   S.    DUDLEY 

grace  and  mercy  of  God.  As  his  end 
grew  near  he  became  more  and  more 
anxious  that  some  one  in  harmony 
with  his  sentiments  in  the  gospel 
should  be  round  to  lift  up  the  stand- 
ard of  truth  when  he  was  called 
home.  He  was  enabled  before  his 
death  to  have  this  prayer  answered 
when  Elder  J.  J.  Gilbert  was  called  to 
serve  churches  in  his  locality. 


J.   R.   DUKES. 

Dukes,  Elder  J.  R.,  of  Dukes,  Fla.,  is 
the  beloved  Moderator  of  the  Suwanee 
Association  of  the  Primitive  Baptists 
of  Florida,  and  the  faithful  pastor  of 
churches  within  the  bounds  of  this 
association.  Data  for  a  more  suitable 
notice  could  not  be  obtained. 


M.  W.  DUMAS. 

Dumas,  Elder  M.  W.,  of  Texas,  was 
born  in  Monroe  County.  Ga.,  May  6, 
1830,  and  died  October  6,  1908,  in  the 


seventy-ninth  year  of  his  age.  He  was 
blessed  with  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  in 
his  eighteenth  year  and  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church.  Some  time 
after  this  he  moved  to  Arkansas,  then 
to  Louisiana  and  in  1874,  he  moved  to 
Lampasso  County,  Texas,  and  was  in 
the  constitution  of  Sardis  church  in 
1876.  Getting  letters  from  Sardis  he 
and  his  wife  were  in  the  constitution 
of  Bethlehem  Church  in  1877,  and  in 
1884,  was  ordained  by  this  church. 
Until  the  end  of  his  life  he  was  a 
faithful  soldier  of  the  Cross  and  was 
highly  esteemed  as  a  Primitive  Bap- 
tist minister.  During  his  last  illness  he 
expressed  in  the  most  convincing  man- 
ner, his  full  assurance  of  the  truthful- 
ness of  the  doctrine  he  had  preached. 
Having  preached  it  to  others  in  life  he 
was  willing  to  rest  upon  it  in  death. 


JAMES    DUNCAN. 

Duncan,  Elder  James,  of  Ripley,  Tenn. 
This  able  minister  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment is  Moderator  of  the  Review  Bap- 
tist Association  of  Primitive  Baptists 
and  is  the  faithful  pastor  of  New  Salem, 
Pleasant  Hill  and  other  churches.  He 
is  associate  editor  of  the  Baptist  Trum- 
pet, a  lover  of  peace  and  earnest  work- 
er in  the  Master's  vineyard.  The  editor 
regrets  that  a  more  extended  notice  of 
his  life  and  labors  could  not  appear. 


R.  W.  DURDEN, 

Durden,  Elder  R.  W.  was  born  in 
Emmanuel  County,  Ga.,  January  8,  1827, 
and  died  August  11,  1900.  Too  much 
cannot  be  said  for  him  by  way  of 
commendation.  He  was  an  honorable 
hightoned  gentleman  in  every  sense  of 


96 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


the  word,  a  most  excellent  citizen,  a 
faithful  kind  husband  and  father  in 
his  family.  He  represented  his  county 
in  the  Georgia  legislature  one  term 
with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  grati- 
fication of  his  constituents.  He  was 
married  to  Miss  Lydia  Burnett,  Decem- 
ber 21,  1852.  To  this  union  were  born 
ten  children.  Elder  Durden  joined  the 
church  at  Antioch  in  May,  1857 — some 
time  after  he  commenced  exercising 
in  public,  and  was  ordained  to  the  min- 
istry February  17,  1877,  by  Elders  D. 
J.  Lamb  and  Moses  Daniel.  He  beauti- 
fully adorned  his  profession  by  a  holy 
walk,  setting  such  examples  before  his 
family  and  the  people  generally  as  are 
worthy  of  imitation.  As  a  minister  he 
was  faithful  to  warn  the  unruly  and  un- 
godly against  ungodliness,  to  comfort 
the  saints  and  feed  the  flock  of  God 
which  He  purchased  with  His  own 
blood.  And  thus  he  proved  his  faith  by 
his  works,  fought  a  good  fight  and  fin- 
ished his  course  with  joy. 


SILAS    H.    DURAND. 

Durand,  Elder  Silas  H.,  cf  South- 
ampton, Pa.,  son  of  Daniel  and  Ase- 
nath  Durand,  was  born  in  Bradford 
County,  Pa.,  June  5,  1S33,  and  was  the 
eleventh  in  a  family  of  fourteen  chil- 
dren. His  childhood  and  early  youth 
were  spent  on  his  father's  farm.  In 
his  eighteenth  year,  he  began  teach- 
ing, and  in  185S  entered  the  law  office 
of  Hon.  H.  P.  Wright,  of  Wilesbarre, 
Pa.,  for  the  purpose  of  studying  law. 
In  1860  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  entered  upon  what  promised  to 
be  a  very  successful  business  career. 
In  1863  he  united  with  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  in  Wilkesbarre.  In  May, 
1864    he    received    a    hope    of   eternal 


life,  and  was  the  following  month  re- 
ceived into  the  fellowship  of  the  Old 
School  Baptist  Church  of  Middletown 
and  Walkill,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Gilbert  Beebe.  After  a  short 
visit  at  his  father's  home  he  returned 
to  Wilkesbarre,  fully  expecting  to 
continue  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion as  a  life  work.  But  the  things  of 
the  Kingdom  pressed  with  such 
weight  upon  his  mind,  that  he  was  led 
to  mention  this  in  a  letter  to  Elder 
Beebe,  who  at  once  told  him  the 
church  had  thought  he  had  been  call- 
ed of  God  to  preach,  and  were  only 
waiting  for  him'  to  know  it.  On  Sep- 
tember 4,  1864,  he  was  licensed  and 
on  November  following  he  closed  his 
legal  work,  and  in  December  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
try. His  first  Work  was  traveling 
among  the  churches,  doing  the  work 
of  an  evangelist  for  about  three  years. 
After  this  he  served  at  one  time  six 
churches  that  were  widely  separated 
from  each  other,  traveling  about  16,- 
000  miles  a  year  in  the  work  July  5, 
1882,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Clarice 
E.  Pusey,  a  member  of  the  church  at 
Hartford,  •  Md.  April  12,  1884,  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  to  the  church  at  South- 
ampton, Pa.,  and  moved  there  Septem- 
ber following,  where  he  still  remains. 
He  is  also  pastor  of  a  church  in  Salis- 
bury, Md.,  and  one  in  South  River, 
N.  J.  In  1867  Elder  Durand  published 
"The  Trial  of  Job,"  a  very  clear  expo- 
sition of  the  truth  as  taught  in  that 
remarkable  Bible  narrative,  and  later 
a  volume  of  '"Meditations  on  Portions 
of  the  Word."  In  connection  with  his 
sister,  Miss  Bessie  Durand,  he  pub- 
lished Reminiscences  and  Letters  of 
Mary  Parker,  which  became  a  very 
acceptable  source  of  revenue  to  her 
in  her  last  years,  as  well  as  a  source 
of  comfort  and  spiritual  help  to  the 
large  number  who  read  it.  In  collabo- 
ration with  Elder  P.  G.  Lester  of 
Floyd,  Va.,  he  edited  a  Hymn  and 
Tune  Book  for  use  in  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Churches,  which  has  been  adopt- 
ed by  a  great  number  of  them,  and 
quite  generally  regarded  as  accepta- 
ble. Elder  Durand  is  a  lovely  man,  an 
able  preacher,  fluent  writer  and  bold 
defender  of  salvation  by  grace.  He  is 
a  highly  esteemed  gift  to  the  church, 
and  his  labor  of  love  and  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  truth  greatly  appreciated 
by  his  brethren. 


JAMES  DUVAL. 

Duval,  Elder  James,  was  born  in  Cul- 
pepper County,  Va.  March  8th,  1804, 
and  died  in  Missouri,  April  6,  1881.    He 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


97 


was  a  devoted  christian  and  zealous 
defender  of  what  he  conscientiously 
believed  to  be  true  and  right.  He  united 
with  the  Baptist  Church  in  Vir- 
ginia while  young,  and  at  the  early  age 
of   nineteen   years   was    called   of   the 


JAMES    DUVAL 

Lord  to  the  responsible  and  honored 
position  of  minister  of  the  gospel, 
which  calling  he  pursued  with  great 
diligence  until  his  death.  He  was  clerk 
of  Fishing  River  Association,  a  faithful 
pastor,  and  a  man  of  wholesome  in- 
fluence. 


W.   R.   DYER. 

Dyer,  Elder  W.  R.,  of  Arenzville,  111., 
for  more  than  thirty  years  has  served 
Indiana  Creek  Church  which  was  con- 


stituted about  1828.  In  early  manhood 
he  received  a  hope  in  Christ  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  G.  W.  Murphy  in 
1871;  ordained  1874  by  Elder  G.  W. 
Murphy,  John  H.  Myers  John  H.  Tay- 
lor and  Brice  Allsberry.  Elder  Dyer  is 
firm  in  the  doctrine  held  dear  by  Bap- 
tists, and  has  ever  been  an  earnest 
defender  of  the  faith  once  delivered  un- 
to the  saints.  The  editor  regrets  that 
a  fuller  sketch  of  his  life  and  labors 
could  not  be  secured  in  place  of  this 
brief  notice. 


C.  H.  DYKES. 

Dykes,  Elder  C.  H.,  of  Tracy  City, 
Tenn.,  was  born  August  24,  1842;  uni- 
ted with  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church, 
November,  1867,  and  was  ordained  to 
the  gospel  ministry,  July  1891.  Elder 
Dykes  is  an  humble,  faithful  servant 
and  before  his  ordination  served  his 
church  as  clerk  and  deacon  for  about 
thirty  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Collins  River  Association. 


W. 


EATON. 


Eaton,  Elder  W.  T.,  of  Cheney,  Wash, 
was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  Va., 
March  4,  1864;  married  to  Miss  Laura 
B.  Hensley,  December,  1885,  and  both 
united  with  Naked  Creek  Church, 
Rockingham  County,  and  baptized  by 
Elder  Benjamin  Lampton.  Elder  Eat- 
on's gift  was  soon  discovered  by  his 
brethren  and  he  soon  began  to  speak 


publicly  in  the  name  of  Jesus;  was 
licensed  in  1892,  and  in  June  the  follow- 
ing year  ordained  by  Elders  T.  S. 
Dalton  and  J.  A.  Norton.  He  was  soon 
called  to  the  care  of  churches  and 
after  serving  from  one  to  four  churches 
for  about  six  years  he  resigned  his 
charge,  moved  to  the  state  of  Wash- 
ington where  he  remained  one  year; 
returned  to  Virginia  and  had  the  care 
of  churches  for  about  four  years  when 
he    again    moved    to    Washington    and 


98 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


has  since  preached  in  school 
houses,  private  houses  or  where 
ever  a  door  was  opened  for  the  procla- 
mation of  the  Word.  In  1906,  he  was  in 
the  organization  of  a  church  in  the 
city  of  Spokane  and  has  since  served 


W.    T.    BATON 

as  its  pastor.  Elder  Eaton  is  well  es- 
tablished in  the  doctrine  and  practice 
of  the  Apostolic  church  as  maintained 
by  the  Primitive  Baptists  and  ably  con- 
tends for  the  old  paths  wherein  is  peace 
for  God's  people  and  glory  to  His  son. 


JONATHAN  EDGERTON. 

Edgerton,  Elder  Jonathan  (1835-1897) 
This  earnest  and  decisive  man  was 
born  in  Wayne  County,  N.  C,  of  Quaker 
parentage,  and  of  that  persuasion, 
holding  the  conditional  system  of  sal- 
vation for  years.  He  was  baptized 
October,  1874  by  Elder  P.  D.  Gold,  who 
also  assisted  in  his  ordination  to  the 
gospel  ministry  in  1877.  He  was  for 
years  the  useful  moderator  of  the 
Black  Creek  Association.  In  early  life 
he  was  a  Mason  of  note.  His  princi- 
ples and  convictions  were  such  that 
whatever  his  hand  found  to  do  he  did 
it  with  his  might.  Hence  he  was  an 
efficient  and  earnest  Mason.  Being  a 
man  of  clear  and  quick  mind,  of  deep 
intuition,  and  of  clear,  honest  convic- 
tions, he  was  of  decisive  character,  but 
also  prudent.  He  held  no  half-way 
convictions,  but  Avas  disposed  to  probe 
deep  into  a  subject,  and  ascertain  the 
truth.  He  was  also  fearless,  manly  and 
vigorous  in  defending  or  following  his 
convictions.  He  was  an  ardent  cour- 
ageous friend  of  the  right,  and  a  great 
lover  of  gospel  peace,  and  of  that  good 


behaviour  that  leads  to  it.  Men  that 
love  the  right  and  perform  it  are  not 
troublers  in  Israel,  nor  disturbers  of 
the  peace.  One  that  knew  Brother 
Edgerton  doubted  not  where  to  find 
him,  nor  feared  that  he  would  turn  his 
back  on  the  foe  in  the  day  of  battle. 
In  all  the  relations  of  life  he  was  gentle, 
kind  and  faithful.  How  kind  as  a  hus- 
band, tender  as  a  father,  cheerful  and 
faithful  as  a  brother,  obliging  and  use- 
ful as  a  neighbor,  and  citizen,  solici- 
tous and  laboring  as  a  pastor.  His  gift 
in  all  the  scriptures  as  a  teacher  and 
expounder  was  rich  and  precious,  and 
few  men  were  deeper  and  richer  in 
tracing  out  and  setting  forth  the  spirit- 
ual meaning  of  the  types  and  symbols 
under  the  law,  and  showing  their  glory 
in  the  gospel.  What  is  wrapped  up  to 
most  minds  under  the  curtains  of  the 
tabernacle  of  the  wilderness,  was  so 
revealed  to  him  in  the  vail  rent  and 
open  that  he  wondrously  brought  out 
things  new  and  old,  and  showed  them 
on  the  housetop  in  the  noon  day  light 
of  the  gospel.  He  also  exhorted  the 
brethren  to  good  living  and  peace.  No 
stain  was  found  on  his  garments. 
Beautiful  were  his  feet,  and  bright  the 
armor  he  wore  to  the  end  of  his  faithful 
life. 


EDMUND    EDWARDS. 

Edwards,  Elder  Edmund,  of  North 
Carolina,  was  born  in  Edgecombe 
County,  N,  C,  October  20,  1816;  join- 
ed the  church  at  Autrey's  Creek,  June 
1853,  was  licensed  1856,  and  ordained 
1857.  He  had  the  care  of  four 
churches,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  ministers  raised  up  to 
that  calling.  He  was  illiterate  and 
made  use  of  broken  language,  but  was 
one  of  the  most  spiritual  men;  his 
preaching  reached  the  hearts  of)  his 
hearers,  brought  tears  to  their  eyes, 
comfort  to  their  hearts,  and  convinc- 
ed them  of  the  mighty  power  of  God 
dwelling  in  him.  His  ministry  was 
short  and  precious  to  the  saints. 


SIMEON    EDWARDS. 

Edwards,  Elder  Simeon,  died  near 
Rock  M511s,  Randolph  County, 
Ala.,  August  7,  1893.  He  was  near 
eighty  years  old,  and  had  been  an 
able,  sound  and  orderly  gospel  minis- 
ter for  more  than  fifty  years.  For  the 
last  thirty  years  of  his  life  he  was 
greatly  afflicted.  In  preaching,  his  ar- 
guments were  predicated  upon  the 
Scriptures,  and  in  calm,  clear  and 
forcible  reasoning,  he  had  but  few 
if  any,  equals. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


99 


G.    E.    EDWARDS. 

Edwards,  Eider  G.  E.,  of  Macon, 
Mo.,  was  born  July  4,  1856,  raised  by 
■"Missionary"  Baptist  parents;  convict- 
ed of  sin  1880,  and  made  to  feel  bis 
lost  and  ruined  condition  by  nature 
and  what  he  must  be  by  grace  to  see 
God  in  peace;  given  a  sweet  hope  in 
Jesus  and  united  with  Little  Zion 
Church,  Macon  County,  Mo.,  where 
his  membership  still  remains.  He  was 
ordained  to  the  ministry  1889,  and 
has  been  serving  churches  since.  For 
fourteen  years  he  has  been  the  faith- 
ful pastor  of  his  home  church  and  is 
much  beloved  by  his  brethren. 


WALTER    C.     EDWARDS. 

Edwards,  Elder  Walter  C,  of  Mon- 
roe, N.  C,  was  born  in  Union  County, 
N.  C,  July  1,  1878;  had  serious 
thoughts  of  life  and  death  when  a 
mere  lad.  August  27,  1899,  he  was 
given  a  hope  through  grace  in  Christ 
and  joined  the  church  at  Lawyer's 
Spring.  Anson  County,  N.  C,  June, 
1900,  and  began  to  speak  in  public 
the  following  August,  and  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  cf  the  minis- 
try March,  1903.  Elder  Edwards  is  a 
bold  and  able  defender  of  the  doctrine 
held  by  the  Primitive  Baptists  and  is 
an  industrious  farmer  and  labors  for 
hlis  own  living.  He  is  of  a  reserved 
disposition,  but  firm  in  what  he  deems 

right.  

S.    A.    ELKINS. 

Elkins,  Elder  S.  A  ,  of  Montgomery 
City,  Mo.  This  zealous  and  faithful 
servant  of  God  was  born  in  Clark 
County,  Ky.,  November  27,  1843; 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church   at  Log  Lick — near   where   ho 


was  raised — in  1865;  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  1872; 
has  since  served  four  churches  as  pas- 
tor most  of  the  time;  moved  from 
Kentucky  to  Missouri  in  1881;  located 
in  the  bounds  of  the  Cuivre  Siloam 
Association    and    has    served    as    Mod- 


S.    A.    ELKINS 

erator  of  this  association  continuously 
since  1890.  Elder  Elkins  has  ever 
stood  opposed  to  the  introduction  of 
any  new  and  unscriptural  things  into 
the  worship  of  the  Primitive  church 
feeling  satisfied  with  the  old  paths 
wherein  is  the  good  way. 


FRED    ELMORE. 

Elmore,    Elder    Fred,      of      Grinnell, 
Iowa,    united    with      Liberty    Church, 


100 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Jasper  County,  Iowa,  on  the  third 
Sunday  in  January,  1S80.  In  October, 
1884,  he  was  ordained  to  the  minis- 
terial work  and  has  since  served 
churches  and  preached  wherever 
providence  has  cast  his  lot.  He  is  the 
beloved  Moderator  of  Mt.  Pleasant 
Association  of  Primitive  Baptists  and 
is  zealous   in  the  cause  of  truth. 


J.  G    EUBANKS. 

Eubanks,  Elder  J.  G.  This  able  gift 
to  the  church  is  the  faithful  pastor  of 
the  old  AVelsh  Track  church  and  oth- 
er Old  School  Baptist  Churches  in  this 
section.  He  is  also  the  beloved  Moder- 
ator of  the  Delaware  Old  School  Bap- 
tist Association  and  is  highly  esteemed 
wherever  known,  and  it  is  regretted 
that  a  more  suitable  notice  of  his  useful 
life  and  labors  could  not,  for  lack  of 
data,  appear. 


C.   M.   EVANS. 

Evans,  Eider  C.  M.,  of  Lexington, 
McDowell  County,  W.  Va.,  was  born 
in  Virginia,  August  15,  1861;  raised  on 
farm  with  poor  opportunities  for  an 
education;  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Puckett,  January,  1S85.  had  serious 
thoughts  of  life  and  death,  hell  and 
heaven  from  his  earliest  recollections 
until  the  year  1888,  felt  that  religion 
was  only  a  matter  of  reformation  and 
easy  to  get  when  he  really  wanted  it. 
but  in  February,  1888,  he  was  deeply 
convicted  of  sin  and  viewed  himself  as 
condemned  and  lost.  So  troubled  was 
he  that  even  his  parents  thought  he 
was  losing  his  mind  and  advised  his 
wife  to  look  close  after  him.  But  out  of 


this  morning.,  despairing,  hopeless 
state  God  raised  him,  placed  bis  feet 
on  a  rock,  even  Christ;  and  put  a  song 
of  praise  and  thanksgiving  in  his 
mouth.  He  had  a  natural  desire  to 
unite  with  the  Campbellite  church  near 
him  but  was,  he  felt,  killed  to  this 
desire  and  given  a  love  for  the  Primi- 
tive Baptists  whom  he  had  heard  of. 
So  he  left  home  and  traveled  many 
miles  in  search  of  them,  was  directed 
to  Elder  David  Davis  of  Virginia,  went 
to  his  home,  then  to  his  church,  was 
received  and  baptized  by  him.  Before 
his  deliverance  he  had  a  desire  to 
preach  and  in  his  prayers  for  mercy, 
promised  that  if  God  would  deliver  him 
from  the  fear  of  death  and  damnation 
he  would  be  obedient.  After  his  bap- 
tism he  was  again  impressed  with  the 
duty  of  preaching  and  reminded  of  his 
promises.  But  Jonah-like  he  was  dis- 
obedient and  suffered  much,  but  was 
taught  by  dreams  scripture  and  ex- 
perience his  duty  so  plain  that  he  was 
encouraged  to  go  forward  in  this  public 
duty  though  he  was  uneducated  and 
deeply  felt  his  weakness.  He  was 
licensed  in  1888  and  in  May,  1889,  was 
ordained  by  Elders  David  Davis,  Wal- 
lace Compton  and  S.  H.  Anville.  Elder 
Evans  has  since  had  the  care  of 
churches  and  is  at  present  Moderator 
of  the  Elk  Horn  Association 


W.    T.    EVERETT. 

Everett,  Elder  W.  T.,  of  Dawson, 
Ga ,  was  born  October  11,  1844,  ot 
Primitive  Baptist  parents  though  in 
youth  he  loved  not,  nor  cared  for 
things  pertaining  to  religion.  His 
father,  James  Everett,  was  a  faithful 
preacher      of    the      Old    School    order. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


101 


Elder  Everett  served  through  the 
Civil  war  as  a  member  of  Co.  E,  31st 
Ga.  Volunteers,  was  wounded  once 
and  twice  in  prison.  He  was  in  1S70 
convicted  of  sin,  and  in  the  following 
year  given  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus,  li- 
censed to  preach  1875,  and  ordained 
in  1876.  Most  of  the  time  since  his 
ordination  he  has  served  four 
churches  and  has  proved  faithful  to 
the  cause  of  truth.  Content  with  the 
Bible  doctrine  and  practice  he  con- 
tends for  the  good  old  way  and  wants 
no  new  thing  in  the  house  of  God. 


JAMES    EVERETT. 

Everett  James  (1821-1887),  was 
born  in  Twiggs  County,  Ga.  He  was 
reared  in  Houston  County,  and  then 
moved  to  Macon  County,  where  he  was 
brought  under  conviction  for  sin  and 
received    a    hope    in    Christ    in    early 


manhood,  and  was  received  into  the 
fellowship  of  Hepzibah  Church,  ana 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Sampson  Eng- 
lish. In  June,  1843,  he  was  marriea 
to  Miss  Sarah  H.  English,  daughter 
of  Elder  Sampson  English.  In  1843  he 
moved  to  Stewart  County,  Ga.  The 
church  at  Harmony,  in  1844,  licensed 
him  to  preach.  He  was  soon  called  to 
serve  a  church,  and  his  ordination 
called  for,  but  he  objected  himself, 
and  asked  the  church  to  let  him  serve 
as  a  licensed  minister,  which  was 
granted.  But  in  1819  his  ordination 
was  called  for  again,  and  yet  he  ob- 
jected, but  subsequently  moved  to 
Randolph  County  and  put  his  letter 
in  at  Poplar  Spring  Church.  His  ordi- 
nation was  once  more  called  for  and 
submitting  to  the  wishes  of  his  breth- 
ren a  presbytery  was  called  and  he 
was  ordained  to  the  full  gospel  work. 
He  was  a  faithful,  humble,  sincere, 
unassuming,  self-denying  and  highly 
esteemed  minister  of  the  gospel. 


R.   W.    FAIN. 

Fain,  Elder  R.  W.  (M.  D.),  of  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  was  born  December  8, 
1807;  died  February  2,1870.  Dr.  Fain 
was  a  close  friend  and  fel- 
low-laborer of  the  late  Elder 
John  M.  Watson  and  revised 
and  greatly  enlarged  the  second  edi- 
tion cf  Dr.  Watson's  book  entitled 
"Old  Baptist  Test."  He  was  a  gifted 
preacher,  able  writer  skillful  physician 
and  highly  esteemed  by  his  brethren  as 
a  minister  and  by  his  contemporaries 
in  the  medical  profession. 


J,   W.    FAIRCHILD. 


Fairchild,  Elder  J.  W.,  of  Urbanette. 
Ark.,  was  born  in  Russell  County  Va., 
February  24,  1871.  When  but  an  in- 
fant, his  parents  moved  to  Letcher 
County,  Ky.,  where  his  mother  still 
lives,  his  father  having  fallen  asleep 
December  9,  1904.  Elder  Fairchild  was 
given  a  good  hope  through  grace  in 
the  seventeenth  year  of  his  age;  was 
baptized  by  Elder  S.  C.  Caudill,  and 
received  into  the  fellowship  of  Sand- 
lick  Church  in  Letcher  County,  Ky. 
In  his  eighteenth  year  he  began 
preaching  Jesus,  the  sinner's  Saviour, 
and  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  May  21,  1892.  On  August  26', 


1894,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lida 
Christian,  of  Rowan  County,  Ky.  In 
July,  1896,  he  began  the  publication  of 
the  Footprints  of  The  Flock,  an  Old 
School  Baptist  magazine,  and  still  oc- 
cupies the  editorial  chair.  He  has 
lived   in   several   different   states,    but 


J.    W.    FAIRCHILD 

his  present  home  is  near  Green  For- 
est, Ark.  Elder  Fairchild  is  an  able 
speaker  and  fluent  writer;  is  a  lover 
and  laborer  for  peace  and  fellowship 
among  his  Father's  children  who  have 
been  redeemed  by  the  blood  of  Jesus, 


102 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


regenerated  by  the  Holy  Spirit  and 
killed  to  the  love  of  sin.  He  would  say 
to  them:  "Wherefore  laying  aside  all 
malice,  and  all  guile,  and  hypocrisies, 
and  envies,  and  all  evil  speakings,  as,, 
newborn  babies,  desire  the  sincere 
milk  of  the  word,  that  ye  may  grow 
thereby;  if  so  be  ye  have  tasted  that 
the  Lord  is  gracious." — (1  Pet.  2:1-3). 


H.  M.  FARLEY. 

Farley,  Elder  H.  M.,  of  Pineville,  W. 
Va.,  was  born  January  31,  1868.  Early 
in  life  he  attended  Sunday  schools  and 
grew  up  feeling  that  salvation  de- 
pended upon  conditions  for  him  to 
perform.  When  about  seventeen  years 
old  he  was  deeply  convicted  of  sin 
and  made  to  cry  unto  God  for  mercy, 
was  given  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus,  and 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church,  April,  1SS5.  He  was  soon  after- 
ward impressed  with  the  duty  of 
preaching,  was  ordained,  and  has  been 
in  the  service  of  several  churches  since. 
He  is  Moderator  of  the  Elk  Horn  Asso- 
ciation, and  is  much  beloved  by  his 
people.  A  man  of  sterling  worth,  a 
good  citizen,  kind  neighbor  and  useful 
in  the  cause  of  truth. 


J.  F.  FARMER. 

Farmer,  Elder  J.  F.,  of  Wilson,,  N.  C, 
son  of  Moses  and  Patience  Farmer, 
was  born  in  Wilson  County,  October  24, 
1854.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
about  eleven  years  of  age.  His  mother 
is  still  living  and  strong  in  the  faith  of 
salvation  alone  by  the  grace  of  God. 
His  parents  and  grandparents  were  all 


primitive  Baptists,  and  as  far  back  as 
he  can  remember  he  has  never  hated 
the  Primitive  Baptists.  While  a  boy, 
he  experienced  in  a  very  satisfying 
way,  a  love  for  the  cause  of  truth  and 
for  the  people  of  God,  and  in  this  con- 
nection these  scriptures  frequently 
occurred  to  him  in  a  very  sweetly  and 
comforting  way:  "We  know  we  have 
passed  from  death  unto  life  because 
we  love  the  brethren."  "My  Beloved 
spake  and  said  unto  me,  rise  up  my 
love,  my  fair  one  and  come  away." 
"He  brought  me  to  the  banqueting 
house  and  His  banner  over  me  was 
love."  Also  the  208th  hymn,  Lloyd's 
Collection,  "Love  is  the  golden  chain 
that  binds,  the  happy  souls  above, 
and  he  is  an  heir  of  heaven  that  finds 
His  bosom  glow  with  love,"  was  of 
especial  interest  to  him.  He  felt  the 
love  of  God  shed  abroad  in  his  heart  by 
the  Holy  Ghost,  which  was  given  unto 
him  and  with  it  came  the  blessed  and 
glorious  assurance  that  "nothing  shall 
be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
God  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord." 
At  about  the  age  of  nineteen  he  was 
received  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
church  at  Wilson,  N.  C,  and  baptized 


J.    F     FARMER 

by  his  uncle,  Elder  William  Wbodard 
and  was  blessed  to  go  on  his  way 
rejoicing  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God. 
"Soon  after  this,"  he  writes,  "  I  was 
strongly  impressed  with  a  desire  to  do 
something  to  'shew  forth  the  praises  of 
Him'  who  had  called  me  'out  of  dark- 
ness into  His  marvelous  light.'  I  began 
to  exercise  but  could  not  steadfastly 
continue.  My  doubts  and  fears  and 
feelings  of  unfitness  and  unworthiness 
were  such  an  obsetcle  that  I  would  quit 
a  while.  And  then  in  that  condition 
I  was  not  satisfied  and  would   try  again, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


103 


only  to  fall  by  the  way.  However  I 
was  ordained  by  a  presbytery  composed 
of  Elders  P.  D.  Gold  and  William  Wbod- 
ard,  other  ministers  also  being  pres- 
ent." He  has  had  the  care  of  several 
churches  and  has  baptized  a  good  many 
but  it  seems  specially  to  have  fallen 
to  his  lot  to  marry  couples,  and  at- 
tend funerals,  and  probably  only  a  few 
ministers  have  married  more  people 
and  attended  more  funerals  for  the 
same  length  of  time.  Amid  the  trials 
and  temptations  of  life  he  feels  to  say 
with  the  apostle,  "out  of  them  all  the 
Lord  delivered  me,"  and  "by  the  grace 
of  God  I  am  what  I  am."  Elder  Farmer 
is  fond  of  singing,  and  the  following 
verses  especially  appeals  to  his  feel- 
ings: 
"Through     many    dangers,    toils    and 

snares, 
I  have  already  come, 
'Tis  grace  has  brought  me  safe  thus  far, 
And  grace  will  lead  me  home." 
"Thus  far  the  Lord  has  led  me  on 

Thus  far  His  power  prolongs  my  days, 
And  every  evening  shall  make  known, 
Some  fresh  memorial  of  His  grace." 
His  favorite  scripture  is:  "Behold  how 
good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  breth- 
ren to  dwell  together  in  unity." 


DAVID    FAWLEY. 

Fawley,  Elder  David,  was  born  in 
Rockingham  County,  Va.,  August  9, 
1824,  and  died  at  his  country  home  in 
Kosciusko  County,  Ind.,  March  28, 
1904.  At  the  early  age  ofi  fourteen 
years  he  became  concerned  about  the 
condition  of  his  soul  before  God,  and 
fourteen  years  later  found  peace  in 
the  wounded  side  of  our  dear  Redeem- 
er. In  1852  he  was  baptized  by  Elder 
A.  A.  Cole,  and  united  with  Union 
Church,  Miami  County,  Ind.  Soon  af- 
ter this  New  Hope  Church  was  con- 
stituted near  the  place  of  his  death, 
and  he  became  one  of  the  constituent 
members.  And  a  little  over  eight  years 
ago  he  had  his  membership  transfer- 
red to  Pilgrim's  Rest  Church.  He  was 
in  the  constitution  of  this  church  also, 
and  suggested  its  name.  A  sweet  place 
it  was  for  him  to  rest  the  last  years 
of  his  life!  He  began  preaching  in 
1857,  and  was  ordained  in  May,  I860. 
His  ministry  was  a  most  useful  one 
to  the  scattered  people  of  God  in 
northern  Indiana.  He  was  not  a  doc- 
trinal preacher,  but  was  thoroughly 
established  in  the  doctrine  of  our  dear 
people.  He  was  mighty  in  prayer  and 
exhortation.,  and  a  sweet  preacher,  a 
successful  farmer,  good  citizen,  and 
kind  neighbor. 


WM.    FERGUSON. 

Ferguson,  Elder  Wm.,  lived  in  Ma- 
rion County,  Tenn.,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Sweeten's  Cove  Church.  Later 
he  moved  to  Franklin  County,  Tenn  , 
and  served  churches  there.  A  full  re- 
port could  not  be  obtained  of  his  lab- 
ors.    He  died  about  1880. 


JOHN    M.   FIELD. 

Field,  Elder  John  M.  (1809-1891), 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  moved  to  Ma- 
con, Ga.,  in  1830,  and  lived  there  un- 
til some  years  ago,  when  he  moved 
to  Florida.  He  was  an  humble,  devot- 
ed follower  of  our  blessed  Lord,  and 
from  the  standpoint  of  his  convictions 
he  never  swerved,  either  as  teacher, 
or  in  the  private  relations  of  life; 
he  was  a  faithful  witness  of  God.  He 
talked  during  his  illness  of  nothing 
but  the  comforting  doctrines  of  grace 
and  magnified  the  goodness  of  God, 
who  had  provided  for  him  a  perfect 
Saviour  and  spoke  of  his  approaching 
death  as  casually  and  coolly  as 
though  he  was  about  to  take  a  pieas- 
ant  journey.  He  fought  a  good  fight,, 
kept  the  faith  and  had  the  assurance 
that  for  him  there  was  a  mansion  and 
crown  awaiting  him,  the  free  gift  of 
Him  who  had  bought  him  with  His 
own  precious  blood.  He  met  death 
without  fear  or  doubt,  and  spent  his 
last  days  in  praising  God  for  his 
blessings  and  mercies,  and  in  exhort- 
ing all  to  seek  the  Lamb  of  God. 


ELANTHAN      FINCH. 

Finch,  Elder  Elanthan  (1761-1845), 
of  New  York  state,  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Revolutionary  war  and  for  many 
years  a  minister  of  the  Old  Fashion 
Baptists,  and  during  the  trying  ordeal 
of  1832  when  the  division  in  the  Bap- 
tist denomination  occurred  he  re- 
mained firm  and  unshaken  in  the 
Apostle's   doctrine   and    practice. 


W.    A.   FISH. 

Fish,  Elder  W.  A.,  of  Benton,  Ills., 
was  born  near  Sisterville,  Va.,  (now 
W.  Va.),  June  12,  1855,  convicted  of 
sin  and  given  a  hope  in  Jesus  as  his 
sin-bearer,  and  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Church  in  Benton,  Ills., 
February  5,  1879,  and  was  baptized  by 


104 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Elder  Josiah  Harris.  His  gift  was  dis- 
covered by  the  church,  and  he  was,  in 
August,  1893,  licensed  to  preach  and 
in  October,  1900,  ordained  to  the  full 
functions  of  the  gospel  ministry.  Eld- 


W.   A.   FISH 

er  Fish  has  the  care  of  three 
churches,  has  been  Moderator  of  the 
Bethel  Association  of  Southern  Illi- 
nois for  several  years  and  is  an  able, 
faithful  gift  and  highly  esteemed  for 
the  truth's  sake. 


J.   H.   FISHER. 


serious  thoughts  about  death  and  the 
future,  and  when  about  the  age  of 
fifteen  realized  a  sweet  joy  in  hear- 
ing the  words,  "Trust  in  the  Lord," 
spoken  in  his  heart  and  mind,  though 
seemingly  in  his  hearing.  At  the  time 
he  could  not  call  it  a  hope  but  found 
comfort  in  it  later.  When  about  nine- 
teen years  of  age  he  united  with  the 
Missionary  or  New  School  Baptists, 
attended  one  of  their  seminaries  and 
began  preaching  for  them.  But  after 
a  few  years  he  left  them  and  united 
with  the  Primitive  or  Old  School 
Baptists  in  Kentucky,  and  wrote  a 
very  interesting  book  entitled,  "My 
Reasons  for  Leaving  the  Missionary 
Baptists."  Elder  Fisher  has  published 
twelve  thousand  copies  of  this  book. 
Has  also  published  two  thousand 
copies  of  "David's  Sling" — a  pam- 
phlet written  by  him  exposing  a  Camp- 
bellism;  and  a  brief  History  of  the 
Baptist  recently  gotten  out.  He  was 
founder  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Re- 
view and  after  some  years  of  publica- 
tion discontinued  it  or  changed  the 
name  to  Banner  of  Peace.  This  paper 
was  recently  sold  to  Elder  J.  B.  Hardy 
who  combined  it  with  the  Advocate  of 
Truth.  After  leaving  the  Missionary 
Bastists  and  joining  the  Primitive 
Church,  he  was,  in  1893  ordained, 
and  has  since  had  the  care  of 
churches  and  has  traveled  and  preach- 
ed in  fifteen  states.  His  home  church, 
— Mtt.  Zion — near  Graham,  Texas, 
which  he  has  been  serving  about  ten 
years  is  a  strong  church — has  a  well 
furnished,  commodious  stone  meeting 
house  and  two  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  farm  land  and  parsonage. 
From  this  church  Elder  Fisher  has 
constituted  three  other  churches. 
Elder  Fisher  is  a  good  writer  and  in- 
teresting speaker,  loves  the  cause  of 
Christ  and  labors  for  peace  among  the 
churches. 


W.  L.  FLEENER. 

Fleener,  Elder  W.  L.,  of  Tennyson, 
Ind.,  is  moderator  of  the  Little  Zion 
Association  of  Regular  Old  School 
Baptists  of  Indiana  and  has  the  care  of 
Tennyson  and  other  churches  in  this 
Association.  The  editor  regrets  that 
a  more  extended  notice  could  not  -ap- 
pear. 


T.  B.  FISHER. 


Fisher,  Elder  T.  B.,  of  Richmond, 
Fisher,  Elder  J.  H.,  of  Graham,  Mo.,  was  born  in  Ray  County,  Mo.,  No- 
Texas,  was  born  in  Texas,  December  vember  30,  1852,  and  joined  Fishing 
22,  1860.  From  early  childhood  he  had  I    River  Church  in  October.  1882.    He  was 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


105 


ordained  in  May,  1895.  He  has  a  quiet 
and  humble  spirit,  desiring  to  serve  his 
brethren  and  is  the  pastor  of  two 
churches.     This  brief  notice  is  found 


T.    B.    FISHER 


in  Elder  Cash's  book  published  in  1896 
and  the  editor  regrets  that  further  in- 
formation could  not  be  obtained. 


G.  W.  FLOYD. 

Floyd,  Elder  G.  W.,  of  Empire,  Ga. 

This  faithful  brother  is  the  beloved 
moderator  of  tie  Primitive  Ebenezer 
Association.  He  has  the  care  of  Union 
and  Pleasant  Plains  churches  and  is 
highly  esteemed  among  his  people. 


WM.   H.  FLY. 

Fly,  Elder  Wm.  H.,  of  Xash  County. 
N.  C,  was  born  October,  1848  and  died 
January,  1906.  He  was  received  into 
the  fellowship  of  Pleasant  Hill  Church 
and  baptized  by  Elder  John  Scott,  1875. 
He  was  ordained  a  deacon  in  said 
church  1890,  and  in  1897  was  ordained 
to  the  ministry  by  Elders  W.  B.  Strick- 
land and  Dorris  Armstrong.  He  served 
Upper  Town  Creek,  Mill  Branch  and 
Salem  churches  and  was  a  gifted 
preacher  and  beloved  by  his  people. 


CHARLES    FORSEE. 

Forsee,  Elder  Charles  (1754-1837). 
This  venerable  and  faithful  servant  of 
God  was  born  in  Powhatan  County,  Va., 


received  a  hope  in  Christ,  1776,  and  in 
1785  began  to  improve  a  public  gift. 
He  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  settled  as  pastor 
of  the  Skinquarter  Church  in  1799,  and 
with  this  church  he  continued  to  labor 
until  December,  1834,  when  on  account 
of  the  common  infirmity  of  old  age,  he 
resigned  his  pastoral  charge  and 
waited  to  welcome  the  messenger  of 
his  departure  from  this  imperfect  state 
of  being,  unto  that  immortal  and  in- 
corruptible state  which  God  has  pre- 
pared for  all  those  who  love  his  ap- 
pearing. The  unbounded  confidence 
which  this  aged  father  manifested  in 
the  God  of  his  salvation,  was  truly  as- 
tonishing; especially  when  about  leav- 
ing this  world.  Of  him  it  may  be  said 
in  truth,  "He  has  fought  the  good  fight 
— has  finished  his  course,  and  kept  the 
faith."  The  invariable  theme  of  his 
preaching  was  Jesus  Christ  and  Him 
crucified;  and  in  the  exhibition  of  this, 
no  subject  was  so  familiar  and  sweet 
as  that  of  the  sovereign  discriminating, 
immutable,  invincible  and  eternal  grace 
of  God,  set  forth  in  the  eternal  salva- 
tion of  all  the  vessels  of  His 
mercy.  At  the  first  entrance 
among  the  Baptists  of  the  sys- 
tem of  modern  benevolence,  so  call- 
ed, Elder  Forsee  lifted  up  his  voice , 
like  a  trumpet;  nor  did  he  cease  to 
warn  his  brethren  solemnly,  and  with 
tears,  against  uniting  with  any  relig- 
ious society  except  the  Church  of 
Christ,  and  even  unto  his  death  he 
protested  against  all  the  God-dishon- 
oring doctrines  and  institutions  which 
have  at  this  day  obtained  among  a 
majority  of  the  professors  of  Christ- 
ianity. 


S.   R.    FOSTER. 

Foster,  Elder  S.  R.,  of  Rural  Hill, 
Ills.  The  following  brief  notice  is 
from  Elder  Potter's  book  published  in 
1895  and  is  inserted  as  further  in- 
formation could  not  be  secured:  "Eld- 
er Foster  was  born  in  Hamilton  Coun- 
ty, Ills.,  on  the  26th  day  of  January, 
1828,  and  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  at  Little  Spring  in  1S50,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry in  1862.  and  is  now  pastor  of  two 
churches.  Elder  Foster  has  been  a 
hard  student  and  is  very  well  inform- 
ed, and  has  always  been  faithful. 


T.  J.   FOSTER. 

Foster,  Elder  T.  J.  (1805-1899),  was 
born  in  Jackson  County,  Ga.,  All  the 
salvation  that  he  hoped  for  was  based 


106 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


upon  the  mercy  and  goodness  of  God 
towards  him.  He  was  impressed  in 
early  life  with  man's  great  responsi- 
bility to  God,  and  as  was  natural 
strove  very  hard  to  induce  God  to 
save  him  by  his  Pharisaical  duties. 
When  all  his  efforts  proved  unvailing, 
it  was  revealed  that  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  the 
saved  sinner's  hope.  He  united  with 
the  church  in  1828.  Some  years  later 
he  was  liberated  by  the  Missionary 
Church  (the  Baptists  about  that  time 
having  divided  on  the  question  of  mis- 
sions and  money)  to  preach,  but  as  he 
and  they  could  not  agree,  he  left  them 
and  joined  the  Primitive  Baptists  and 
commenced  preaching.  He  was  or- 
dained to  take  charge  of  churches  in 
1S40  by  Elder  Elias  Brown  and  James 
Miller.  In  1S49  he  moved  to  Arkansas. 
He  \\  as  a  zealous  Primitive  Baptist. 
In  the  language  of  one  who  knew 
him:  "Without  a  fee  or  earthly  re- 
ward he  went  from  church  to  church 
over  a  large  territory,  and  with  the 
persistency  of  Paul  and  the  fervency 
of  Peter  he  proclaimed  the  everlasting 
gospel  to  dying  sinners.  He  was 
known  far  and  wide  as  'Uncle 
Tommy  Foster,'  and  was  for  twenty- 
five  years  Moderator  of  the  Ouachita 
Primitive  Baptist  Association.' 


W.  H.  H.  FRANCIS. 

Francis,   Elder  W.  H.   H.   (1841-1907) 

of  Indiana,  was  one  of  a  family  of 
twelve  children.  He  received  a  hope 
in  Christ  and  united  with  the  Beulah 
Baptist  Church,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Pritchard  the  first  Sunday  in 
October,  1SS5.  In  1895  he  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  The  above 
few  lines  relate  the  important  events 
in  the  life  of  this  good  man,  but  all  his 
goodness  will  never  be  told  in  this 
world.  He  lived  his  profession,  bridled 
his  tongue,  and  his  religion  was  not  in 
vain.  If  there  ever  was  a  man  who 
made  straight  paths  for  his  feet  to  walk 
in,  he  was  that  man,  and  he  walked  in 
the  paths  after  they  were  made.  His 
conversation  was  spiritual-  and  pure. 
He  fought  a  good  fight  and  finished  his 
course  with  joy. 


A.  B.  FRANCIS. 

Francis,  Elder  A.  B.,  of  Delmar,  Del., 
son  of  Robert  H.  and  Susannah  E. 
Francis  was  born  in  Fauquire  County. 
Ta.,  May  14,  1842.  When  he  was  about 
six  years  old  he  was  under  conviction — 


not  for  some  outward  act  of  wickedness 
but  as  a  voice  within  saying:  "Thou 
art  a  sinner."  He  was  made  to  feel 
condemned  by  God's  holy  law.  For 
many  years  he  labored  and  was  heavy 
laden,  trying  to  work  himself  in  favor 
with  God.  In  this  he  failed,  but  when 
his  case  was  hopless  he  was  blessed  to 
find  relief  and  rest  in  Jesus.  This  was 
in  1864.  He  wanted  to  tell  to  others 
what  a  precious  Saviour  he  had  found. 
Thus  he  was  impressed  to  preach  be- 
fore uniting  with  the  church  which  he 
did  at  Upper  Brood  Run,  the  church  of 
his  mother's  membership,  in  June,  1865. 
The  following  year  he  was  licensed 
and  in  July,  1868,  was  ordained  by  Eld- 


A.  B.  FRANCIS 

ers  Gilbert  Beebee,  William  J.  Puring- 
ton  and  Robert  C.  Leachman.  Elder 
Francis  has  been  in  the  ministry  more 
than  forty  years  and  during  that  time 
has  served  the  churches  of  Fryingpan 
and  Quantico  in  Virginia,  Kingswood 
in  New  Jersey,  Tuscaro  in  Pennsylva- 
na,  and  now  has  care  of  four  churches 
in  the  Salisbury  Association  and  the 
London  Tract  Church  in  Pennsylvania. 
He  was,  in  August,  1870,  married  to 
Miss  Laura  Page  Middleton  of  Virginia. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  six  chil- 
dren. After  her  death  in  1897,  he  was, 
in  1899,  married  to  Miss  Mary  Frances 
Cole  of  Maryland.  Elder  Francis  is 
Moderator  of  the  Salisbury  Old  School 
Baptist  Association,  is  a  gifted  and 
faithful  minister  and  highly  esteemed 
by  his  charges. 


LEWIS     E.     FRAZEE. 

Frazee,  Elder  Lewis  E.,  of  Bentley, 
Ills.,  was  born  in  the  state  of  Ohio  in 
the    year    1863,    and    united    with    the 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


107 


Missionary  Baptists.  In  1884  he  united 
with  the  Cherryvale  Church  in  Kan- 
sas, and  returning  to  Illinois  became 
a  member  of  Middle  Creek  Church 
where  he  was  ordained  in  May,  1888, 
to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel  minis- 
try.   He    has    since      had    the   care    of 


fi^' 

« 
h 

E 

^^^••'■^i 

-'■'"-Bk 

flliBBBII 

LEWIS   E.    FRAZEE. 

churches,  is  an  able,  humble  minister, 
and  highly  esteemed  among  his  peo- 
ple, and  the  editor  regrets  that  his 
efforts  to  obtain  recent  data  from 
which  to  prepare  a  more  extended 
sketch   proved    in   vain. 


JAMES    FREY. 

Frey,  Elder  James,  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  in  1841,  was 
an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment. He  was  the  regular  pastor  ol 
the  Baptist  Church  at  Big  Redstone, 
upwards  of  thirty  years,  faithful  and 
beloved.  He  was  a  faithful  husband; 
an  affectionate  father;  and  an  agree- 
able neighbor.  He  served  the  church 
with  indefatigable  industry;  he  ever 
was  careful  to  adhere  strictly  to  the 
instruction  afforded  him  in  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  gloried  in  maintaining  and 
publishing  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  also  in  maintaining  good 
works.  

JOHN    E.    FROST. 

Frost,  Elder  John  E.,  (1825-1904), 
was  nearly  79  years  old  when  he  died, 
and  had  been  a  minister  of  the  Primi 
tive    Baptist      Church    for    more    than 


fifty  years;  was  married  to  Alice  D. 
Hix,  1846,  with  whom  he  lived  for 
fifty-three  years.  No  one  knew  him 
but  to  love  him.  He  traveled  almost 
all  the  time  for  nearly  twenty-five 
years,  and  preached  the  gospel;  and 
just  a  few  days  before  he  died  he 
said,  "In  life  I  preached  salvation  by 
the  grace  of  God,  and  now  in  death 
the  grace  of  God  is  my  only  hope." 
He  was  a  gifted  preacher,  good  citizen 
and  kind  neighbor  and  such  a  life  is 
worth  more  than  all  the  world's 
riches.  - — 

RICHARD  FULKERSON. 

Fulkerson,  Elder  Richard,  of  Illinois, 
From  Elder  Potter's  Sketch-book 
published  in  1895,  it  is  learned  that 
Elder  Fulkerson  was  born  in  Pope 
County  111.,  on  the  lSth  day  of  October, 
1819;  united  with  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist church  in  1844  and  was  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  in  1848,  and 
was  at  that  time  serving  three  churches 
though  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of 
his  age.  Later  information  could  not 
be  obtained  by  the  editor. 


T.  J.  FULLER. 

Fuller,  Elder  T.  J.,  of  West  Salem, 
111.,  Efforts  by  the  editor  to  obtain 
data  from  which  to  prepare  a  suitable 
sketch  of  Elder  Fuller  proved  fruitless 
and  all  the  information  obtainable  is 
that  he  was  born  in  Wabash  County, 
111.,  July  12,  1847,  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  in  November,  1882,  and 
wras  ordained  to  the  ministry  in  May, 
1891. 


C.    L.    FUNK. 

Funk,  Elder  C.  L.,  of  Needmore,  Pa., 
was  born  March  29,   1844,  and  in  his 


108 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


twenty-second  year  of  age  was  married 
to  Miss  Annie  Covalt.  Two  years  later, 
September,  1868,  he  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church,  and  some 
years  after  this  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  work  and  now  has  the  care  of 
five  churches.  In  a  letter  to  the  editor 
Elder  Punk  writes:  "The  Lord  has 
been  good  to  me,  led  me  in  a  way  I 
knew  not  and  gave  me  a  strong  impres- 
sion to  preach  his  everlasting  gospel. 
But  this  I  resisted  until  after  a  severe 
spell  of  fever,  much  affliction,  and 
burden  of  mind,  I  was  made  willing, 
and  for  thirtv  years  through  poverty 
and  affliction  I  have  been  trying  to 
preach  and  the  Lord  has  thus  far  sus- 
tained me."  Elder  Funk  is  an  humble 
minister  and  loves  the  cause  of  truth 
dearly. 


J.  J.  FUQUA. 

Fuqua,  Elder  J.  J.,  of  Bold  Spring, 
Tenn.  This  worthy  minister  who  now 
lacks  one  "mile  stone"  of  reaching 
four  score  years,  was  born  in  Hick- 
man County,  Tenn.,  in  1830;  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in 
1S56,  and  was  ordained  in  1868.  Elder 
Fuqua  says  he  has  been  living  on  the 
doctrine  of  grace  for  fifty-three  years; 


has  been  trying  to  preach  it  forty-one 
years,  and  by  the  grace  of  God  is 
willing  to  die  contending  for  the  same 
grand  principles  advocated  by  Christ 
and  His  apostles.  Though  almost 
worn  out  in  the  service  of  his  Master 


J.   J.    FUQUA 

yet  he  has  lost  none  of  his  interest 
in  the  cause  of  truth,  and  desires  to 
see  the  young  ministry  contending 
earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered 
unto  the  saints 


W.    R.   GALLIMORE. 

Gallimore,  Elder  W.  R.,  of  Lexing- 
ton, N.  C.  This  brother  of  good  re- 
port,  who   has   been   preaching    about 


four  years,  was  born  June  12,  1853, 
The  editor  regrets  that  a  sketch  of 
his  life  and  labors  could  not  be  ob- 
tained. 


HODGES   GALLOP. 

Gallop,  Elder  Hodges,  son  of 
Willis  Gallop,  was  born  January  22, 
1807,  lived  all  his  life  in  Carrituck 
County,  N.  C,  and  died  there  February 
20,  1877  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his 
age.  His  father  was  one  of  the 
wealthiest  men  in  the  county,  but 
manifested  no  interest  in  religion  nor 
made  any  effort  to  bring  up  his  son  in 
a  right  and  proper  manner.  Thus  the 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  amid 
a  sordid,  selfish  influence  and  in  love 
with  sin.  But  God  began  a  work  in  his 
heart,  and  so  killed  him  to  the  love  of 
sin,  that  even  as  a  boy,  he  refused  to 
obey  his  father's  orders  to  enter  into 
the  dance  and  revelry.  He  was  a 
staunch  friend  to  the  Baptists  in  the 
heated  and  excited  division  in  Rowels 
Point  church  now  called  Elem,  in  1833, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


109 


when  the  Fullerite  element  in  vain 
undertook  to  expell  the  Old  Party 
though  at  that  time  he  was  not  a 
member.  He  united  with  this  church 
in  1838  and  it  is  said  bought  out  the 
contentious  element  himself  in  order 
to  have  no  further  trouble  Avith  them. 
In  1845  he  was  ordained  as  deacon  and, 
licensed  to  preach  in  1850  and  ordained 
to  the  ministry  in  1853  by  Elders 
Samuel  Tatum  and  Caleb  T.  Sawyer. 
Elder  Gallop  was  not  considered  an 
able  expounder  of  the  scripture  but  was 
a  good,  sound  practical  preacher,  and 
perhaps  came  as  near  living  the  truth 
he  preached  as  any.  He  was  one  of 
natures'  noblemen,  a  man  of  good 
judgment,  kind  disposition  and  very 
charitable  to  the  poor.  Before  he  died 
he  made  preparations  for  his  departure 
and  on  his  death  bed  selected  two 
hymns  to  be  used  at  his  funeral. 


STEPHEN     GUARD. 

Guard  Elder  Stephen  (1776-1839), 
was  an  able  minister  of  the  gospel, 
was  baptized  by  Elder  William  Van- 
church  at  Morristown,  N.  J.  In  1803,  he 
Home,  in  1801  and  united  with  the 
was  licensed  and  set  apart  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  by  Carpenter's  Run 
Church  in  this  state,  Elders  James 
Lee  and  Moses  Frezee  officiating.  Eld- 
er Guard  was  a  man  of  uncommonly 
strong  mind,  bright  intellect,  and  gen- 
erally decided  and  unmoveable  in  his 
plans  and  purposes.  He  was  well  qual- 
ified to  fill  almost  any  station,  either 
in  church,  society  or  government,  that 
his  friends  could  have  desired  to  place 
him  in,  had  he  been  so  disposed;  but 
so  it  was  with  him,  he  desired  no 
greater  honor  than  to  be  filling  his 
place  in  the  house  of  God;  and  noth- 
ing else  seemed  so  near,  and  dear  to 
him,  as  the  peace  and  happiness  of  his 
brethren.,  and  the  health  and  prosper- 
ity of  the  dear  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
He  was,  for  many  years,  Moderator 
of  Miami  Association,  and  highly  es- 
teemed   as   a  minister  of   Jesus. 


STEPHEN   I.  GARDNER. 

Gardner,  Elder  Stephen  I.,  of  Cozad, 
Neb.,  was  born  May  1,  1861  in  Rich- 
land County,  111.  Married  to  Miss 
Phoebe  J.  Arnold,  1884.  Received  a 
hope  in  the  year  of  1886  joined  Little 
Zion  Church,  1888,  and  ordained  in 
May,  1893.  Since  that  time  he  has 
had  the  care  of  from  two  to  four 
churches,  has  baptized  more  than  one 
hundred  members,  held  four  debates 
with    other    denominations,    preached 


quite  a  number  of  funerals  and  united 
in  marriage  a  large  number  of  people. 
Elder  Gardner,  his  wife  and  their  three 
oldest  children  are  members  of  Liberty 
Church  near  Alma,  Marion  County,  111. 
This  is  the  strongest  church  in  Little 
Wabash  Association,  and  the  Primitive 
Baptists  are  the  leading  denomination 
in  that  community.     Elder  Gardner  is 


STEPHEN    I.    GARDENER 

sound  in  doctrine  and  orderly  in  prac- 
tice, is  satisfied  to  be  a  plain  old  fash- 
ioned Baptist  and  is  opposed  to  all  new 
things  that  are  being  advocated  among 
Baptists  in  some  places.  Recently 
Elder  Gardner  has  moved  to  Cozad, 
Neb.,  where  he  and  Elder  Craig  con- 
stituted Mt.  Zion  Church. 


A.   J.   GARLAND. 

Garland  Elder  A.  J.,  of  Front  Royal, 
Va.,  was  born  in  Fulton  County,  Pa., 
May  26,   1880;    convicted  of  sin  early 


110 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


in  life  and  given  a  hope  in  the  Sa- 
viour, but  these  exercises  of  a  burden- 
ed heart  for  sin  and  the  relief  of  that 
burden  was  so  gradual  in  its  nature 
tixat,  like  many  others,  he  cannot 
date  the  exact  time.  When  about  six- 
teen years  of  age  the  preaching  of  the 
gospel  by  the  Primitive  or  Old  School 
Baptists  became  very  precious  to  him 
and  he  went  before  Tonoloway 
Church,  asked  for  a  home,  was  receiv- 
ed and  baptized  by  Elder  T.  N.  Alder- 
ton.  About  two  years  later  he  was  im- 
pressed with  the  dutv  of  preaching 
Jesus  to  others,  but  endeavored  to 
rid  his  mind  of  such  impressions,  and 
to  keep  it  to  himself.  The  church  dis- 
covered his  gift  and  licensed  him  in 
1902  and  the  following  year — on  De- 
cember 19th — he  was  ordained  to  the 
full  functions  of  the  gospel  ministry. 
Three  days  before  this  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Rosa  Ashpaugh.  Elder 
Garland  moved  to  Front  Royal  in 
1904,  where  he  has  since  resided  and 
has  now — 1908 — the  care  of  six 
churches. 


JAMES   GARNETT. 

Garnett,  Elder  James,  the  son  of 
Captain  Anthony  Garnett,  was  born 
in  Culpepper  County,  November  1743, 
baptized  by  Elder  Elijah  Craig  and 
was  soon  ordained  to  the  ministry.  He 
was  a  minister  of  great  influence.  In 
point  of  morality  and  correct  chris- 
tian deportment,  few  have  surpassed 
him,  and  at  home  or  abroad,  in  public 
or  in  private  he  was  always  the  same. 
Religion  was  his  constant  theme,  and 
for  nearly  fifty  years  he  was  an  active 
laborer  in  his  Master's  vineyard.  He 
died  in  1830,  two  years  before  the  great 
division  in  the  Baptist  Churches  of 
Virginia,  but  in  his  ministry  he  did  not 
advocate  the  many  new  departures  that 
caused  the  division. 


ROBERT   GARNETT. 

Garnett,  Elder  Robert  (1770-1854) 
son  of  Elder  James  Garnett,  was  a 
Virginian  by  birth,  though  he  lived  in 
Kentucky  many  years,  serving 
churches  in  Boone  County,  and  bap- 
tizing serveral  hundred  persons  in  that 
section  before  returning  to  Virginia. 
He  was  convicted  of  sin  and  given  a 
hope  in  Jesus  in  bis  eighteenth  year, 
united  with  Crooked  Run  Church,  Cul- 
pepper County,  Va.,  January  1789,  and 
was  baptized  by  his  father.  Elder  Gar- 
nett served  Mill  Creek  Church  as 
pasto:-  after  the  death  of  Elder  John 


Koontz.  Under  the  separation,  1832-35 
he  identified  himself  with  the  Old 
Baptists,  and  never  in  anywise  con- 
nected himself  with  the  modern  in- 
ventions of  New  Schoolism,  but  both 
publicly  and  privately  expressed  his 
devotion  to  the  peculiarities  of  doctrine 
and  practice  which  characterize  the 
Old  School  Baptists. 


W.   C.    GARRETT. 

Garrett,  Eider  W.  C.  (1822-1894),  of 
Missouri,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  mov- 
ed to  Missouri  when  quite  young  and 
settled  in  what  is  called  the  Piatt 
Purchase.  When  in  his  eighteenth 
year  he  became  deeply  concerned  in 
regard  to  the  salvation  of  his  soul, 
his  conviction  was  deep  and  pungent 
until  he  despaired  of  all  hope.  But  in 
June,  1842,  he  was  enabled  to  hope 
in  God's  mercy.  His  deliverance  from 
the  thraldom  of  sin  and  death  was 
truly  wonderful.  Duty  was  at  once 
impressed  upon  him  to  confess  the 
Saviour  and  to  be  baptized  in  His 
precious  name  and  also  a  burning  de- 
sire in  his  heart  to  speak  of  God's 
goodness  and  mercy  to  the  children 
of  men.  So  according  to  his  own  ac- 
count, he  at  once,  in  company  with 
his  wife  went  before  the  church  call- 
ed Bethlehem  in  DeKalb  County,  Mo., 
and  gave  a  relation  of  their  hope  in 
Christ  and  were  received  and  baptiz- 
ed by  Elder  Jchn  M.  Evans.  He  com- 
menced preaching  very  young.  His 
license  bears  date  June,  1842,  and  in 
March,  1845,  he  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry.  In  his 
young  days  he  was  very  active  and 
energetic  in  the  ministry,  was  a  stout 
man  physically  and  possessed  a  won- 
derful mind,  intellectually.  He  states 
in  bis  memoires  that  at  the  end  of 
thirty  years  of  his  ministry  he  had 
traveled  thirty  thousand  miles.  His 
labors  were  principally  confined  to 
Missouri,   Kansas  and   Nebraska. 


JOHN  GILBERT. 

Gilbert,  Elder  John,  of  Kentucky 
was  born  on  the  sea  coast  in  North 
Carolina  about  the  year  1857.  His 
grandmother  was  from  Scotland  and 
grandfather  from  England.  He  served 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  War 
of  the  Revolution.  Soon  after  he 
came  to  Kentucky  and  located  near 
where  Frankfort  now  is  when  there 
was  but  one  house  there.  Afterwards 
he  located  in  what  is  now  Clay  County, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


111 


spending  a  great  deal  of  his  time 
hunting  as  that  was  the  most  profitable 
business  then.  He  said  he  killed  over 
one  thousand  bear  in  his  life  making 
his  bacon  out  of  bear  meat  instead  of 
hogs.  He  was  brought  to  receive  a 
hope  in  Christ  early  in  life  and  soon 
after  he  joined  the  Baptist  Church  of 
Christ  and  began  preaching  the  gospel, 
traveling  all  over  the  mountains  of 
Eastern  Kentucky  on  horseback, 
preaching  to  those  people  till  he  was 
over  one  hundred  years  old.  He  died 
March  11,  1868,  making  him  about  one 
hundred  and  eleven  years  old  at  time 
of  his  death.  He  was  the  grandfather 
of  Elder  J.  J.  Gilbert  and  a  most  re- 
markable man  and  zealous  pioneer 
preacher. 


RICHARD    M.    GILBERT. 

Gilbert,  Elder  Richard  M.,  of  Jef- 
ferson County,  Fla.,  was  born  in  Mor- 
gan County,  Ga.,  1825,  and  died  Oc- 
tober 10,  1900.  He  was  a  noble  man, 
his  house  was  a  home  to  the  stranger, 
and  his  hand  ever  ready  to  help  the 
poor  and  needy.  The  editor  is  unable 
to  secure  data  covering  his  useful 
ministry. 


J.  J.  GILBERT. 

Gilbert,  Elder  J.  J.,  of  Winchester, 
Ky.  This  faithful  and  able  brother 
was  born  in  Owsley  County,  Ky.,  Jan- 
uary 13,  1S44,  brought  under  convic- 
tion in  early  life  and  though  a  boy  of 
good  morals  was  made  to  feel  that  he 
was  a  great  sinner,  and  was  given  a 
sweet  hope  in  Jesus  the  10th  day  of 
January,  1868.  Of  this  he  writes:  "On 
that  morning  about  8  o'clock  I  was  rid- 


ing along  all  alone  meditating  over 
my  lost  condition,  when  all  at  once  it 
seemed  that  the  whole  of  my  life 
was  laid  open  before  me  as  one  dark 
page  of  sin  and  transgression  against 
God  in  which  I  could  see  no  good 
thing  I  had  ever  done  to  merit  His 
favor.  While  thinking  over  this  terri- 
ble picture,  in  a  moment  the  veil  was 
lifted  and  Christ  was  presented  to 
view  as  my  Saviour,  the  chief  among 
ten  thousand  and  all  together  lovely. 
His  praises  poured  forth  from  my 
heart  while  tears  of  joy  freely  ran 
down  over  my  cheeks."  He  united 
with  the  Baptists  at  Station  Camp 
Church,  Estill  County,  Ky.,  April, 
1868.  From  the  time  he  received  a 
hope  he  was  impressed  with  the  work 
of  the  ministry  over  which  he  earn- 
estly prayed.  He  says:  "On  Monday 
evening  after  fourth  Sunday  in  De- 
cember, 1S69,  I  made  my  first  effort 
to  preach  from  the  text,  "  'This  is  the 
work  of  God  that  you  believe  on  Him 
whom  He  hath  sent.'  "  In  this  effort  I 
felt  as  perfect  freedom  as  I  ever  had 
in  my  life.  At  this  time  I  felt  a 
strange  feeling  in  my  heart  which 
lasted  about  ten  days.  While  this  was 
on  I  did  not  feel  like  eating  or  sleep- 
ing much  and  preaching  was  as 
easy  as  it  was  to  open  my  mouth,  and 
the  Scriptures  opened  up  to  my  mind 
so  clear  that  I  often  found  myself  in 
tears."  He  was  soon  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  has  since  had 
the  care  of  churches,  has  never  felt 
dissasisfied  with  the  Old  School  Bap- 
tists or  regretted  uniting  with  them 
and  wants  no  new  thing  in  God's 
house;  has  traveled  and  preached  in 
Kentucky,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Virginia  and 
Maryland  and  has  been  well  received. 


TAYLOR    J.   GILBERT. 

Gilbert,  Elder  Taylor  J.,  of  Ken- 
tucky, was  bom  in  Clay  County,  Ky., 
October  4,  1840,  and  was  married  to 
Mary  Haggard,  March  11,  1S12.  Be- 
fore he  knew  anything  about  experi- 
mental religion  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  or  more  familiar- 
ly known  as  the  Campbellite  Church, 
while  in  Idaho,  about  the  year  1869. 
Returning  to  Kentucky  after  receiv- 
ing the  evidence  of  a  pardon  of  his 
sins,  through  the  atoning  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ,  and  before  heaiing  the 
gospel  preached,  he  became  dissatis- 
fied with  his  connection  with  the 
Campbellite  Church  and  joined  the 
Free  Will  Baptists;  but  as  soon  as  he 
heard  the  gospel  as  preached  by  the 
Primitive   Baptists,   he    asked    and   re- 


112 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


ceived  baptism  at  the  hands  of  Elder 
A.  C.  Newlands,  of  the  Old  Baptist 
Church,  and  from  that  time  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life  preaching  a 
finished  salvation  in  Jesus.  About  this 
time,  the  Old  Red  Bird  Association, 
•which  had  been  built  up  by  his  grand- 
father, Elder  John  G.  Gilbert,  was  re- 
vived by  his  work,  and  during  his 
work  in  the  ministry  many  churches 
were  organized  and  many  persons 
baptized    into    the    fellowship    of    this 


twelve,  El-Bethel  eight,  Mt.  Enon  two, 
Orange  four  years  and  has,  dur- 
ing this  time  traveled  upwards  of  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  thousand  miles, 
perhaps  half  of  the  distance  in  pri- 
vate conveyance.  He  has  baptized 
nearly  three  hundred  persons,  helped 


TAYLOR  J.  GILBERT 

body.  He  was  Moderator  of  said  As- 
sociation until  he  moved  to  Oklahoma, 
in  March,  1902.  where  he  very  sud- 
denly and  unexpectedly  died  from 
paralysis  of  the  heart.  Few  in  modern 
times,  have  shown  more  zeal  or  de- 
votion to  the  work  of  their  Heavenly 
Master  than  he  or  made  greater  sac- 
rifice for  the  cause  of  truth.  It  was 
said  after  his  death  by  a  minister 
well  qualified  to  know:  "That  no  man 
was  ever  more  loved  and  respected 
by  the  members  of  his  churches  than 
Taylor  J.  Gilbert." 


M.    L.    GILBERT. 

Gilbert,  E!der  M.  L.,  of  Dade  City, 
Fla.,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  Septem- 
ber 16,  1857.  During  his  third  year  in 
college  his  health  failed,  and  the  doc- 
tors advised  that  he  go  to  Florida, 
which  he  did  in  1881;  joined  the  Old 
School  Baptists  at  Mt.  Enon,  Fla., 
May,  1886;  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  March,  1889;  was  called 
to  the  care  of  churches  soon  after 
ward,  and  has  served  Empire  and 
Antioch  each  for  the  last  nineteen 
years;   Bethel  seventeen,  Little  Flock 


M.    L.   GILBERT 

to  ordain  several  preachers,  and  four- 
teen deacons;  married  seventy-eight 
persons,  and  preached  over  two  thou- 
sand sermons.  Elder  Gilbert  has  serv- 
ed on  the  editorial  staff  of  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  and  the  Banner  of 
Peace  and  is  a  useful  minister. 


A.  J.  GILBERT. 

Gilbert,  Elder  A.  J.,  was  born  April 
3,  1810,  and  died  April  15,  1893.  He 
was  an  humble  man  and  faithful  sol- 
dier of  the  cross.  He  remained  with 
the  Missionaries  awhile  after  the  split 
but  soon  the  Lord  led  him  to  his 
friends,  the  Primitive  Baptists.  Soon 
after  he  joined  the  church  he  was  set 
apart  to  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
which  office  he  filled  faithfully  to  the 
end.  He  traveled  and  preached  a  great 
deal  among  the  Baptists  of  his  state, 
and  was  faithful  to  the  end  and 
greatly  loved  by  his  people. 


WILLIS   E.   GILL. 

Gill,  Elder  Willis  E.,  of  Cloverdale, 
Ind.,  was  born  .September  21,  1869,  in 
Edgar  County,  Ills.;  united  with  the 
Methodist  Church  at  Harmcny  near 
Kansas,  Ills.,  in  1886,  and  was  baptiz- 
ed  by  Rev.  E.   B.  Randal.     Becoming 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


113 


convinced  that  the.  doctrine  of  salva- 
tion by  grace  as  taught  by  the  Prim- 
itive Baptists  was  the  doctrine  of  the 
sinners  and  after  many  friendly  tilts 
soinners  and  after  many  friendly  tilts 
with  the  Metnodists  on  that  subject, 
united  with  the  Providence  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  in  Edgar  County,  111., 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  M.  B.  Mof- 
fett  of  Paris,  111.,  in  February,  1591. 
Was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry August  5,  1893,  by  the  following 
elders:  Jas  M.  True,  C.  W.  Kemper, 
Wm.  Luce,  O.  B.  Gamron,  M.  B.  Mof- 
fett,  Thos  G.  Drake,  A.  H.  Patton 
S.  H.  Moffett  and  F.  M.  Reeds.  In 
July,  1893,  he  removed  to  Cloverdale, 
Ind.,     changing     his     membership     to 


WILLIS   E.   GILL 

Smyrna  Church  near  Cloverdale, 
which  at  that  time  had  a  member- 
ship of  twelve  but  has  now  increased 
to  about  three  times  that  number.  He 
has  the  care  of  three  churches  near 
his  home;  was  married  to  Miss  Lily 
May  Moffett  of  Kansas,  March  4,  1891. 
of  Elder  S.  H.  Moffet,  March  4,  1891. 
Two  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
Jessie  and  Carlyle,  both  of  whom 
though  young  in  years,  have  a  deem- 
ed preference  for  the  dear  old  church 
which  their  parents  have  tried  to 
serve.  The  churches  under  his  care 
are  not  bothered  with  any  of  the 
questionable  practices  which  do  harm 
to  the  precious  cause  of  Christ. 


WILLIAM     GILMORE. 

Gilmore,  Elder  William.  This  min- 
ister was  an  able  gift  to  the  church. 
He  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  moved 
to  Virginia  about  the  year  1800  and 
began     preaching     at     the     Ketocton 


Church  in  London  County,  where  the 
Ketocton  Association  was  formed  in 
1766.  He  also  served  New  Valley, 
North  Fork  and  Upperville  churches, 
in  Virginia,  and  was  a  fatithful  pastor 
going  through  heat  and  cold  to  meet 
his  appointment.  As  a  speaker  Elder 
Gilmore  was  entertaining.  He  was 
firm  and  well  grounded  in  doctrine 
and  could  not  be  moved  by  the  great 
tidal  wave  of  Arminianism  that  swept 
through  the  Association  during  the 
first  quarter  of  the  nineteenth  centu- 
ry and  culminated  in  a  division  in 
the  Baptist  church,  1828-1835. 


W.    H.    GILMORE. 

Gilmore,  Elder  W.  H.,  of  North 
Yakima,  Wash.,  was  born  in  Des- 
Moines  County,  Iowa,  November  4, 
1848,  but  when  four  years  old  his  pa- 
rents emigrated  from  that  state  to 
Oregon.  He  was  taught  good  morals 
and  to  be  obedient,  but  in  1873,  when 
grown  to  manhood,  there  came  to  him 
another  Teacher,  an  inward  and  di- 
vine one,  who  taught  him  that  mor- 
ality and  obedience  were  not  all  he 
needed.  He  was  arrested  as  a  way- 
ward and  thoughtless  transgressor 
against  God's  holy  law,  and  made  to 
regard  himself  as  a  poor,  needy  sin- 
ner. In  this  helpless  condition,  and 
stripped  of  all  self-confidence,  he  was, 
given  a  hope  in  Jesus  as  a  sin-bearing 
Saviour,  and  in  June,  1876,  united 
with  the  Baptists  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  J.  A.  Bullock  .  Soon  after 
this  he  was  impressed  to  preach  the 
gospel  as  glad  tidings  to  helpless  sin- 
ners. Although  he  loved  the  gospel, 
he  rebelled  against  this  impression 
until  March,  1891,  when  he  made  the 
attempt  to  speak  in  the  Lord's  match- 
less name.  On  May  9,  1896,  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
try, and  has  since  been  preaching 
among  the  churches  as  the  Lord  gave 
him  liberty.  Elder  Gilmore  is  an  hum- 
ble faithful  minister,  is  a  member  of 
the  Siloam  Association  and  was  at  its 
last  session— June,  1908 — <  chosen 
Moderator.  He  is  pastor  of  Pleasant 
Grove  Church  in  Yakimo  County, 
Wash.,  which  holds  three  meetings 
each  month  and  is  zealous  in  the 
cause  of  truth. 


P.    D.   GOLD. 

Gold,  Elder  P.  D.,  of  Wilson,  N.  C. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
second  son  in  a  family  of  eleven  chil- 
dren and  was  born  in  Rutherford,  now 


114 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Cleveland  County,  N.  C,  March  25,  1833. 
His  opportunities  for  an  education  were 
very  limited,  and  not  being  satisfied 
with  the  meagre  three  months  annual 
school  session  which  the  county  af- 
forded, with  a  thirst  for  knowledge  and 
an  undaunted  ambition,  he  succeeded 
after  each  hard  day's  work  on  his 
father's    farm,    in    acquiring    sufficient 


P.   D.   GOLD 

education,  to  enable  him  at  the  age  of 
twenty,  to  pass  an  examination  for 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
county.  About  this  time  he  began  the 
study  of  law  under  A.  W.  Burton,  Esq. 
obtained  his  license  in  1856  and  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Shelby. 
N.  C.  After  about  two  years  not  find- 
ing the  practice  of  law  congenial  to  his 
taste  and  convictions,  he  abandoned 
that  vocation  and  decided  to  enter  the 
field  of  the  gospel  ministry.  With  little 
money  and  owing  for  previous  educa- 
tion he  entered  Furman  University,  S. 
C,  where  he  remained  for  two  years, 
afterwards  going  to  the  Southern  Bap- 
tist Theological  Seminary  for  a  short 
term,  being  forced  to  discontinue  his 
studies  at  the  latter  place  through  the 
opening  of  the  Civil  war.  Notwith- 
standing the  annoyance  and  anxiety  he 
felt  because  of  inadequate  financial 
means  during  these  years,  he  took  a 
high  stand  in  his  classes  at  the  institu- 
tions, although  his  debts,  for  which 
his  creditors  held  his  personal  notes, 
had  grown  to  the,  to  him,  enormous 
sum  of  two  thousand  dollars,  which  was 
after  the  war  worked  out  and  paid  by 
himself  and  wife.  During  the  war  he 
accepted  the  charge  of  a  church  in 
Goldsboro  N.  C,  and  while  there  met 
and  was  happily  married  to  Miss  Julia 
Pipkin  in  1863.  About  1865  a  deep 
conviction  seized  this  man,  confronting 


him  with  a  sinful  nature  and  therefore 
a  sinful  life.  The  justice  of  God  in  his 
condemnation,  showing  him  he  sinned 
in  Adam,  and  therefore  death  passed 
upon  him  in  Adams'  disobedience,  so 
overwhelmed  him  in  confusion  that  he 
despaired  of  mercy  and  felt  he  was  lost. 
This  wrought  in  him  an  abiding  con- 
sciousness of  the  sinfulness  of  man.  In 
this  view  he  saw  and  felt  the  justice 
of  God  in  his  condemnation.  In  that 
dark  hour  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  Saviour 
of  sinners,  appeared  as  his  righteous- 
ness, fully  justifying  him  with  the 
words,  sounding  out  to  him  as  if  spok- 
en aloud  :  "If  God  give  you  Christ,  how 
shall  he  not  with  him  freely  give  you  all 
things?"  This  caused  a  great  change 
in  his  views  and  conduct.  From  that 
time  he  preached  Christ  Jesus  as  the 
only  name  under  heaven  given  among 
men  whereby  we  must  be  saved.  The 
predestination  of  God  appeared  ap- 
pointing beforehand  what  he  pur- 
posed should  come  to  pass,  and  the 
electing  love  of  God  choosing  before- 
hand, and  without  regard  to  man's 
works,  the  people  he  loved  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  giving  them  grace  in  Him. 
He  sought  for  a  people  who  loved  and 
believed  that  doctrine,  discarding  all 
free  agency  of  man  and  rejecting  all 
self  appointed  means  and  measures  of 
man's  devising.  This  people  he  found 
known  as  the  Primitive  Baptists,  and 
was  received  among  them  and  baptized 
by  Elder  C.  B.  Hassell,  at  old  Kehuke 
Church,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
preaching  among  them,  -desiring  to 
know  nothing  among  men  but  Jesus 
Christ  and  Him  crucified.  He  considers 
that  a  man  should  be  industrious,  and 
labor  to  build  his  section  and  further 
useful  enterprises.  But  the  labor  he 
would  perform  in  preference  to  all 
other  kinds  is  to  establish  the  truth  in 
Christ  Jesus,  in  an  humble  walk  and 
godly  conversation.  In  1871  he  be- 
came editor  of  "Zion's  Landmark," 
and  for  thirty-seven  years  it  has  been 
an  important  and  influential  paper 
among  the  Baptists.  In  the  course  of 
his  editorial  career  Elder  Gold  has 
written  a  vast  amount,  but  he  has 
made  only  one  publication  outside  his 
professional  work.  This  was  a  small 
religious  book,  being  a  "Treatise  On 
the  Book  of  Joshua,"  which  gives 
evidence  of  much  thought,  learning 
and  power  of  analysis.  Devoted  to  his 
calling,  Elder  Gold  has  not  concerned 
himself  to  any  great  extent  with  sec- 
ular matters,  but  his  sympathies  are 
with  the  people  to  whom  he  ministers, 
and  he  shares  in  their  hopes  and  as- 
pirations. From  his  earliest  recollec- 
tion he  always  had  a  purpose  to  lead 
an  active  life  and  to  be  useful  in  his 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


115 


day  and  generation,  and  ■with  resolu- 
tion he  has  pushed  on  in  that  path 
until  he  has  attained  a  position  reach- 
ed by  but  few  in  the  respect  and  confi- 
dence of  his  fellow  citizens;  still  he 
says  that  his  life  has  not  been  what 
he  would  desire.  He  is  at  present 
pastor  of  Falls  Church  near  Rocky 
Mt.,  and  the  churches  at  Tarboro,  Wil- 
son and  Durham,  is  Moderator  of 
Black  Creek  Association  and  travels 
extensively  among  the  Baptists,  has 
served  as  trustee  of  the  University  of 
North    Carolina,    and    other    positions 

of  trust.  ■ 

HORACE   GOLSTON. 

Golston,  Elder  Horace,  was  born 
in  Marion  County,  Tenn.,  September 
13,  1881.  He  received  a  hope  in  Jesus 
when  about  twelve  years  old,  but  did 
not  express  it  publicly  until  about  the 
age  of  eighteen.  He  was  immersed 
into  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  and  lived  with  them  three 
years.  Becoming  dissatisfied,  he  join- 
ed the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at 
Cedar  Springs,  Marion  County,  Tenn., 
on  Friday  before  the  third  Sunday  :n 
August,  1902.  Brother  Golston  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in 
July,  1905,  by  a  presbytery  consisting 
of  Elders  M.  A.  Hackworth,  J.  G. 
Woodfin,  and  R.  O.  Ralston.  Since  that 
time  and  up  to  the  present  (1907)  he 
has  had  charge  of  two  or  three 
churches.  Brother  Golston  is  very 
earnest  in  his  convictions  and  labors 
zealously  for  what  he  considers  to  be 
the  best  interest  of  the  cause. 


JOHN     E.    GOODSON. 

Goodson,  Elder  John  E.  (M,  D.),  of 
Mo.,  was  born  December  30,  1819,  at 
Seventy-Six,  Ky.,  and  was  the  fourth 


child  of  his  father  Samuel  Goodson, 
who  came  from  Virginia.  His  grand- 
father, Wm.  Goodson  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, December  25,  1859,  and  was  a 
lieutenant  in  Washington's  army  at 
the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 
When  J.  E.  Goodson  was  seventeen 
years  old,  his  father  moved  to  Mis- 
souri. In  December,  1843,  he  moved  to 
Buchanan  County,  Mo.,  and  in  1844, 
was  baptized  into  El-Bethel  Church  by 
Elder  J.  M.  Evans.  He  moved  to  Carroll 
County,  Mo.,  in  1847  and  there  began 
the  practice  of  medicine.  In  1850,  he 
was  elected  to  the  Missouri  legislature 
from  Carroll  County  and  rode  on 
horseback  to  attend  the  session.  He 
began  to  talk  publicly  on  the  subject 
of  religion  in  1852,  and  in  1853  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
He  spent  the  years  just  previous  to 
and  in  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  war 
in  Kansas  and  Missouri  and  had  most 
of  his  property  burned  or  stolen.  In 
1863,  he  moved  to  Macon  County,  Mo., 
and  was  elected  to  the  legislature 
from  this  county,  serving  three  terms. 
Along  about  this  time  it  was  propos- 
ed to  form  a  stock  company  to  com- 
mence again  the  publication  of  the 
Regular  Baptist  Magazine,  which  had 
suspended  for  want  of  patronage.  It 
was  proposed  to  make  Dr.  Goodson 
president  of  the  company  and  Elder 
E.  H.  Burnam  editor.  An  although 
Dr.  Goodson  had  made  a  provisional 
sale  of  the  stock,  when  he  discovered 
that  Elder  E.  H.  Burnam  was  not  in 
accord  with  the  principles  of  Prim- 
itive Baptists  he  refused  to  have  any- 
thing more  to  do  with  the  matter  and 
it  fell  through.  In  1874  he  began  the 
publication  of  the  Messenger  of 
Peace.  At  this  time  there  were  but 
three  Primitive  Baptist  papers  in  the 
United  States,  and  none  of  them  were 
in  the  Western  or  Middle  states.  He 
now  gave  up  the  practice  of  medicine 
and  devoted  himself  to  editing  the 
Messenger  of  Peace.  For  many  years 
he  was  Moderator  of  the  Yellow  Creek 
Association,  and  was  held  in  the 
highest  regard,  not  only  for  his  abil- 
ity as  a  preacher,  but  for  his  influence 
for  peace  and  good  order  among  the 
churches.  Brethren  came  to  look  to 
him  for  direction  because  he  could 
be  depended  on  to  be  temperate,  and 
always  trying  to  soften  down  ex- 
tremes, and  yet  maintaining  sound 
doctrine.  A  year  before  his  death, 
which  occurred  September  16,  1892, 
he  wrote:  "I  am  now  only  waiting  for 
the  call  of  my  clear  Saviour  to  call  me 
to  my  reward,  let  it  be  what  it  may. 
If  it  be  good  it  is  all  on  account  of 
of  what  Jesus  did  for  me,  and  not  fbr 


116 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


what  I  have  done.  The  nearer  I  ap- 
proach the  end  of  life  the  more  I  am 
confirmed  in  the  doctrine  of  salvation 
by  free  and  unmerited  grace  of  the 
Lord    Jesus    Christ." 


J.    E.   GOODSON. 

Goodson,  Elder  J.  E.,  Jr.,  of  Mis- 
souri, son  of  Elder  J.  E.  Goodson,  was 
born  November  15,  1853,  and  died 
August  19,  1890.  He  was  married  to 
Miss  Idress  E.  Dennison,  December 
25,  1873.  United  with  Chariton  Church 
Macon  County,  Mo.,  in  May,  1880,  and 
commenced  preaching  two  years  later 
and  was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of 
the  ministry  in  May,  1884.  Soon  after 
the  Messenger  of  Peace  was  establish- 
ed by  his  father  in  1874,  he  became 
associated  with  his  father  in  connec- 
tion with  the  paper.  After  his  ordina- 
tion his  time  was  all  taken  in  preach- 
ing and  his  office  work.  Churches 
built  up  rapidly  under  his  m,inistry, 
he  being  a  very  strong  defender  of  the 
faith,  and  a  man  of!  great  personal 
magnetism.  Large  congregations 
flocked  to  hear  him  preach,  and  many 
who  hated  his  doctrine  were  drawn 
to  him  by  his  evident  earnestness  and 
his  love  toward  all  men.  He  died  of 
kidney  trouble  which  had  been  prey- 
ing upon  him  several  years,  and  it  is 
safe  to  say  that  all  Primitive  Bap- 
tists who  had  come  to  know  him  felt 
a  personal  loss  in  his  death. 


J.  E.  GORE. 

Gore,  Elder  J.  E.,  of  Philippi,  W.  Va., 
was  born  in  Rappahannock  County,  Va., 
November  15,  1870,  reared  on  the  farm, 
given  a  hope  in  the  Saviour  when  about 
twenty-two  years  of  age,  united  with 
the  Old  School  Baptists  and  was  soon 
liberated  to  preach.  Elder  Gore  is 
serving  three  churches  in  the  bounds 
of  the  Red  Stone  Association.  It  was 
in  this  Association  that  Alexander 
Campbell  first  united  with  the  Baptists 
and  afterwards  made  war  upon  them. 


J.  K.  GOTCHER. 

Gotcher,  Elder  J.  K.,  of  Texas,  was 
born  1845  and  died  October,  1907.  He 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Joel  Lewis  of 
East  Fork  Church.  Soon  after  this  he 
joined  Little  Flock  Church,  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry. 
He  was  an  able,  humble,  sound,  con- 
sistent and  orderly  Primitive  Baptist 
minister  of  Christ,  and  when  in  the 
liberty  of  his  gift  it  seemed  the  great- 
est pleasure  of  his  life  to  preach  and 
comfort  God's  humble  poor.  His  gift 
was  almost  exclusively  in  the  strong 
doctrine  of  Christ  and  its  sweet  conso- 
lations to  God's  believing  people.  It 
was  doubtless  a  heritage  to  him  to 
endure  many  adverse  circumstances 
in  life,  so  was  fulfilled  in  some  measure 
at  least  the  sweet  oracle  of  God, 
"Many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  right- 
eous but  the  Lord  delivereth  out  of 
them  all."  Psalms.  He  was  a  loving 
husband,  kind  father,  faithful  neigh- 
bor and  a  good  citizen. 


WM.  GRAFTON. 

Grafton,   Elder  Wm.,  of  Forest  Hill, 
Md.,  a  very  useful  and  able  minister, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


117 


was  born  in  1825.  He  is  now  in  his 
eighty-third  year,  and  the  forty-eighth 
year  of  his  ministry,  has  for  many  years 
served  as  Moderator  of  the  Baltimore 
Old  School  Baptist  Association  and  is 
serving  the  same  churches  he  com- 
menced with  forty-eight  years  ago.  Old 
Hartford  Church  of  Maryland,  the 
Rock  Spring  Church  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  Warren  Church,  Baltimore  County, 
Md.  This  is  a  wonderful  record  and  a 
mere  fatihful  man  could  hardly  be 
found.  Though  growing  weak  in  body 
his  mind  is  clear  and  strong  and  his 
zeal  in  his  Master's  cause  unabated. 
With  the  apostle  he  can  say,  "  I  have 
fought  a  good  fight,"  as  will  be  testi- 
fied to  by  the  brethren  among  whom  he 
has  so  long  labored.  The  usefulness  of 
such  a  life  can  never  be  estimated, 
nor  fully  appreciated  until  lost  to  us. 


T.    J.    GRANTHAM. 

Grantham,  Elder  T.  J.,  of  Georgia, 
was  born  February  17,  1842,  and  died 
January  11,  1903.  He  joined  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church  in  1880,  and  was 
soon  afterward  ordained  to  preach. 
He  was  a  man  of  lofty  ideals  and  pure 
purposes;  and,  in  all  his  public  ca- 
reer, which  was  by  no  means  exempt 
from  trying  experiences  and  stormy 
passages,  he  was  never  suspected  of 
being  dominated  by  motives  un 
worthy  the  religion  of  his  risen  Lord. 
However  others  might  differ  with  him 
in  matters  of  judgment  or  policy,  the 
honesty  of  his  convictions  was  never 
impeached;  the  loyalty  of  his  devotion 
to  what  he  conceived  to  be  right  was 
never  an  open  question.  He  was  a 
man  of  clear  and  firm  convictions — 
the  stuff  out  of  which  heroes  and 
martyrs  are  made.  While  profoundly 
deferential  to  the  opinions  of  others, 
he  never  changed  or  surrendered  his 
own,  except  at  the  end  of  convincing 
argument  and  fuller  information.  In 
the  matter  of  principle  he  had  the 
courage  to  stand  alone,  in  his  last 
hours  he  said  he  was  not  afraid  to 
die  by  the  principles  he  had  advocat- 
ed; and,  again,  he  said,  "I  know  that 
my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  He 
shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the 
earth;  and  though  after  my  skin 
worms  may  destroy  this  body,  yet  in 
my  flesh  shall  I  see  God,  whom  I  shall 
see  for  myself  and  mine  eyes  shall 
behold,  and  not  another."  And  after  a 
moment's  pause,  he  continued:  "I 
know  whom  I  have  trusted,  and 
though  He  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust 
in  Him."  After  a  moment's  rest,  while 
panting  for  breath,  he  added:   "I  have 


already  passed  through  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  death,  and  I  fear  no 
evil,  for  Thou  are  with  me,'  and  he 
passed  away  like  a  weary  child  going 
asleep  in  its  mother's  arms. 


BERNARD  GREENWOOD. 

Greenwood,  Elder  Bernard  was  born 
in  Weener,  East  Friesland,  Kingdom 
(now  Province)  of  Hanover,  Germany, 
September  24,  1827,  and  died  in  his 
sixty-sixth  year,  in  Wilson,  N.  C.,  Sep- 
tember 1,  1893.  His  parents  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Holland  Reformed  (a  Pres- 
byterian State  church)  and  had  him 
sprinkled  in  infancy,  and  "confirmed" 
when  fourteen  years  of  age,  at  which 
time  he  was  put  to  the  tailor's  trade  in 
his  father's  workshop,  and  attended  a 
high  school  two  hours  a  day,  excepting 
Saturday  and  Sunday.  Though  dead 
in  sin,  and  enamored  of  the  world,  and 
having  his  head  full  of  a  do  and  live 
system  of  religion,  he  thought  himself 
a  good  christian,  until  at  sixteen  years 
of  age,  he  was  awakened  at  midnight 
with  the  solmen  and  piercing  words, 
"God  is  holy,  what  art  thou?"  For  the 
first  time  seeing  himself  a  hell-deserv- 
ing sinner,  he  wept  aloud,  and  to  his 
brother,  who  was  in  bed  with  him  and 
heard  him  and  asked  him  if  he  was 
sick  he  replied,  "No,  John,  I  am  such 
an  awful  sinner."  He  betook  himself 
to  the  reading  of  the  Bible,  and  to 
prayers  and  tears  and  resolutions,  but 
grew  worse  and  worse  until,  when 
seeming  about  to  sink  into  endless  per- 
dition, he  heard  the  crucified  Saviour 
say  to  him:  "Come  unto  me,  thou 
weary  and  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give 
thee  rest.     I,  even  I,  have  blotted  out 


118 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


all  thy  transgressions  for  my  name's 
sake,  and  thy  sins  and  thine  iniquities 
will  I  remember  no  more."  And  his 
heart  replied:  "I  have  heard  of  thee 
by  the  hearing  of  the  ear,  but  now  mine 
eye  seeth  thee:  wherefore,  O  Lord  I 
abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and 
ashes."  Then  he  rejoiced  with  un- 
speakable joy  in  God  his  Saviour.  His 
parents  and  other  relatives  thought 
him  greatly  deluded,  not  being  able  to 
understand  his  case.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  as  required  by  the  laws  of  his 
country  he  entered  the  army.  At 
twenty-two  he  married  and  stayed  a 
year  in  the  place  (Nienburg)  where 
his  wife's  parents  resided,  and  then  re- 
turned, with  his  wife  and  child,  to 
W'eener.  A  few  days  afterwards  he 
heard  his  father's  foreman  tell  of  a 
poor,  little  sect  of  Free  Grace  Baptists 
just  started  in  their  town — humble,  up- 
right, and  inoffensive,  but  despised  and 
persecuted  by  all  other  religionists.  He 
sought  their  acquaintance  and  society, 
and  though  warned  by  his  father,  that, 
if  he  joined  them,  his  customers  would 
desert  him,  and  he  would  starve  his 
family,  he  united  with  them,  and  was 
baptized  in  1S53  in  the  day-time — 
the  other  members  having  been  bap- 
tized in  the  night-time  for  fear  of  their 
enemies,  who  would  not  only  ridicule 
but  also  assault  them.  Then  for  several 
months  he  was  indeed  persecuted,  and 
almost  starved;  but,  in  1854,  by  the 
pecuniary  assistance  of  his  brother, 
John,  who  was  an  infidel  and  then 
living  in  Cincinnati,  O.,  he  and  his  wife 
emigrated  to  America,  leaving  their 
little  boy  most  sorrowfully  with  his 
own  parents,  for  want  of  money  needed 
to  bring  him.  Nearly  three  years  after- 
wards the  child  was  brought  to  his 
rejoicing  parents  by  a  younger  brother 
of  Elder  Greenwood's.  They  lived  in 
Cincinnati  five  months,  and  then  moved 
to  Clover,  Clermont  County,  O.,  where 
in  1S56  they  found  a  church  of  Old 
School  Primitive  Baptists  who  were 
like  the  F'ree  Grace  Baptists  of  Ger- 
many in  both  faith  and  practice.  Clover 
Church  licensed  him  to  preach;  and  by 
the  authority  of  the  church  at  Lynch- 
burg of  which  he  was  then  a  member 
Elders  Brooks  and  Hite  ordained  him 
to  the  ministry  in  1861.  In  1866  he 
moved  to  Evansville,  Ind.,  (where  he 
preached  both  in  English  and  in  Ger- 
man, and  baptized  several,  and  buried 
his  only  child,  then  nearly  sixteen  years 
old)  ;  in  1869  to  Corydon,  Ind.;  in  1871, 
to  Columbus,  Ind.,  (where  he  lived  eight 
years  in  worldly  prosperity  but  in  spir- 
itual poverty) ;  and  in  January,  1880, 
to  Wilson,  N.  C,  where  (with  the  ex- 
ception of  about  a  .year  at  La  Grange, 
N.  C.J   he  and  his  wife  lived  till  the 


time  of  his  death.  Elder  Greenwood 
was  solemn  and  earnest  in  prayer  and 
preaching,  saw  and  proclaimed  Jesus 
in  every  text,  felt  himself  to  be  nothing 
but  a  wretched  sinner  saved  by  grace 
alone,  went  down  in  great  depths  and 
rose  to  great  heights  in  his  experience, 
and  gave  every  particle  of  the  glory  of 
salvation  to  the  Lord.  Few  men  were 
as  ready  as  he  to  quote  an  appropriate 
passage  of  scripture  on  every  occasion 
in  life.  He  had  his  failings,  as  all  of  us 
have;  and  he  would  have  been  one  of 
the  last  persons  in  the  world  to  claim 
perfection  in  the  flesh.  His  book  en- 
titled: "The  Dealings  of  God  with  a 
Laborer,  or  the  Experiences  of  Bernard 
Greenwood,'  is'  indeed  an  interesting 
work. 


NEELEE    GREENLEE. 

Greenlee,  Eider  Neelee,  of  Wlest 
Virginia,  was  born  1819,  and  died 
April  23,  1900.  For  forty-seven- years 
he  was  a  preacher  of  the  gospel  and 
a  strong  defender  of  salvation  by 
grace.  He  was  a  native  of  Macon 
County,  and  served  churches  within 
the  bounds  of  the  Pocatalico  Associa- 
tion, but  a  full  sketch  of  his  life  could 
not  be  obtained. 


JOHN    GRIST. 

Grist,  Elder  John,  of  Crocket,  Tenn., 
was  born  in  Gibson  County,  Tenn., 
December  8,  1852;  had  poor  advant- 
ages for  obtaining  an  education — his 
father  dying  in  his  youth,  and  his 
mother  not  being  able  to  educate  him. 
From  his  early  boyhood  days  he  had 
serious     thoughts     about      death   and 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


119 


eternity,  and  in  his  twenty-fifth  year 
of  age  was  convicted  of  sin  and  shown 
his  lost  condition  before  God.  For 
years  he  carried  a  burden  and  tried 
to  get  relief  by  moving  to  Logan 
County,  Ark.,  but  in  vain.  Not  until 
about  three  years  later — in  1880 — 
did  he  find  rest  in  Jesus.  In  1SS5  he 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists 
and  amid  the  joys  received  in  obedi- 
ence he  was  again  burdened  with  a  call 
to  the  ministerial  work.  Feeling  he 
had  not  one  essential  qualification 
he  resolved  not  to  preach,  but  he 
could  not  help  thinking  about  preach- 
ing when  awake  or  from  dreaming 
about  it  when  asleep.  The  church  saw 
and  realized  the  burden  of  his  mind 
and  licensed  him  in  1887,  and  in  Jan- 
uary, 1889,  he  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work.  About  the  year  1899  Elder 
Grist. moved  to  his  present  home.  He 
has  had  the  care  .  of  churches  for 
about  twenty  years  and  is  also  the 
beloved  Moderator  of  the  Forked  Deer 
Association;  desires  to  contend  for 
the  good,  old  way,  and  to  finish  his 
course  with  joy. 


W.   H.  GULLEDGE. 

Gulledge,  Elder  W.  H.,  died  at  his 
home  in  Norcross,  Ga.,  January  8, 
1899;  was  seventy-four  years,  one 
month,  and  four  days  old,  and  was 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  Nances 
Creek  Church,  DeKalb  County,  Ga., 
in  1857,  by  Elder  H.  D.  Teet.  Elder 
Gulledge  was  a  conssistent  Primitive 
Baptist,  and  was  ordained  and  set 
apart  to  the  full  functions  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry  in  May,  1874,  by  Elders 
W.  W.  Carroll,  E.  Webb  and  J.  T.  Jor- 
dan, and  was  an  able  expounder  and 
defender  of  the  gospel  of  our  Saviour, 
Jesus  Christ;  a  servant  of  the  Master 
indeed.  He  sacrificed  health  and  all 
to  the  cause  he  loved  so  well. 


R.    B.    GUND. 

Gund,  Elder  R.  B.,  was  for  many 
years  Moderator  of  the  Tombigby  As- 
sociation. He  was  a  well  beloved  and 
useful  minister.  The  editor  regrets 
that  a  full  sketch  of  his  life  cannot 
be  obtained. 


H 


GARFIELD    F.    HACKLER. 

Hackler,  Elder  Garfield  F.,  of  North 
Carolina.  This  eminent  and  devoted 
minister  of  the  gospel  was  a  resident 
of  Allegheny  County;  he  was  born 
January  1,  1834,  united  with  Rock 
Creek  Church  1855,  licensed  18G8,  and 
ordained  to  all  the  functions  of  the 
gospel  1S70.  His  useful  life  closed 
July  20,  1879.  His  patience  was  re- 
markable, his  faith  in  the  Lord  strong, 
and  so  he  seemed  to  pass  over  the 
river,    fearing    no    evil. 


M.  A.   HACKWORTH. 

Hackworth,  Elder  M.  A.,  of  Anderson, 
Tenn.,  son  of  Jasper  and  Elizabeth 
Gance  Hackworth,  was  born  in  Jackson 
County,  Ala.,  on  October  15,  1857.  When 
he  was  quite  small  his  father  moved 
to  Maricn  County,  Tenn.,  where  he 
grew  to  manhood.  He  professed  a  hope 
in  Christ  in  his  twenty-first  year  and 
seven  years  later  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  at  Cedar  Springs,  Mar- 
ion County,  Tenn.  He  was  married  in 
1889  to  Miss  Charlotte  West,  and  or- 
dained in  1895.     Brother  Hackworth  is 


one  of  the  most  humble,  unassuming 
and  spiritually  minded  men  and  is 
highly  esteemed  by  our  people. 


A   N.   HALL. 

Hall,  Elder  A.  N.  (1816-1900),  was 
born  in  Wake  County,  N.  C.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-four  or  twenty-five 
years  the  Lord  in  His  all-wise  pur- 
pose, saw  fit  to  call  him  from  nature 
to  grace.  For  thirteen  months  and 
eight  days  he  was  deeply  convicted 
for  his  sins.  His  distress  was  so  in- 
tense as  to  unfit  him  for  business, 
and  all  social  duties.  He  worked  hard 
trying  to  do  good,  fasting  and  praying, 
until  he  ^\as  a  mere  skeleton.  After 
he  had  given  up  all  hope  of  forgive- 
ness, feeling  he  would  soon  be  in  hell, 
the  Lord  spoke  words  of  comfort, 
"Therefore  being  justified  by  faith 
we  have  peace  with  God  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ."  In  an  instant  his 
burden  was  gone,  all  was  peace  and 
love;  he  felt  that  every  sin  was  for- 
given, a  new  song  was  in  his  mouth, 
and  he  sang  praises  to  God.  Very  soon 
he  joined  the  church  at  Mt.  Lebanon, 
and  was  soon  called  to  the  ministry. 


120 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Most  of  his  ministerial  work  was  done 
in  Person  County  until  1859,  having 
bought  a  farm  there  soon  after  his 
marriage,  on  which  he  lived  and  kept 
for  his  home  the  remainder  of  his 
days.  He  then  traveled  a  good  deal 
and  preached  in  North  Carolina  and 
Virginia.  He  was  cnosen  pastor  of 
four  churches,  which  he  served  for 
twenty  years;  there  being  then  two 
new  churches  built  up  under  his  min- 
istry, he  was  then  called  by  them. 
One  of  these  was  Prospect  Hill,  in 
Caswell  County,  the  other  Shiloh, 
which  is  near  his  home.  He  served 
Prospect  Hill  twenty^flve  years.  It 
prospered  under  his  ministry,  and 
continued  to  build  up.  He  continued 
as  pastor  of  Shiloh  as  long  as  he 
liveu.  He  made  all  supplies  on  his 
farm,  working  with  his  own  hands, 
not  to  be  an  incumbrance  on  the 
brethren.  He  was  an  excellent  provid- 
er for  his  family.  He  had  abiding 
faith  in  the  doctrine  of  salvation  by 
grace,  which  he  preached  fifty-seven 
years;  his  only  regret  was  that  he 
could  not  preach  more.  He  tried  to 
assure  every  one  that  this  doctrine  is 
the  doctrine  of  Christ  and  the  Apos- 
tles. He  told  several  people  he  had 
preached  from  the  mountains  to  the 
seashore  a  great  many  times,  and  had 
asserted  that  if  any  man  would  take 
the  Bible  and  prove  that  what  he 
preached  was  not  the  true  doctrine  he 
would  retract,  but  not  a  man  ever 
made  the  attempt.  He  had  many  won- 
derful experiences.  His  daughter 
writes  of  one  thus:  "I  will  tell  you 
of  a  circumstance  which  occurred  in 
1859.  He  retired  as  well  as  usual  one 
night:  sometime  during  the  night  we 
were  awakened  by  his  shouts,  and  he 
seemed  to  be  so  happy  that  it  pros- 
trated him.  He  told  us  all  he  would 
soon  be  in  heaven,  and  continued  to 
clap  his  hands  and  shout  praises  to 
God  for  an  hour  or  more.  Wje  really 
thought  him  dying,  his  limbs  being 
cold.  A  physician  was  summoned 
against  his  protest,  but  he  failed  to 
diagnose  the  disease,  as  he  was  not 
sick.  He  continued  in  this  way  for 
two  weeks.  He  was  too  weak  in  body 
to  sit  up,  but  was  strong  in  spirit,  and 
talked  incessantly  of  heavenly  things, 
desiring  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ. 
As  soon  as  he  was  able  to  travel  he 
told  us  he  must  leave  home  more  than 
ever  before,  that  God  required  him  to 
go  and  preach  the  word,  and  He 
would  take  care  of  his  family.  For 
several  months  he  seemed  to  be  fill- 
ed with  the  Holy  Ghost  all  the  time, 
preaching  day  and  night.  'Many  were 
convicted    and    converted    during    his 


preaching  at  this  time,  and  many 
were  added  to  the  church.  Prior  to 
this  time  he  stammered  so  badly  that 
it  was  with  great  difficulty  he  preach- 
ed; after  this  his  tongue  was  loosed, 
and  he  spoke  with  comparative  ease. 
I  feel  that  God  fulfilled  His  promise 
to  him;  his  family  have  been  wondei'- 
fully  blessed.  We  had  a  good  com- 
fortable home,  never  lacked  for  any 
necessities  of  life,  and  had  good  edu- 
cational advantages,  all  without  going 
in  debt.  He  never  incurred  a  debt  un- 
less he  knew  he  could  pay  it."  He 
passed  through  his  long,  useful  minis- 
try without  a  stain  on  his  garments. 


JAMES  M.   HALL. 

Hall,  Elder  James  M-,  of  Vipers, 
Ky.,  was  born  January  22,  1855,  and 
has  lived  all  his  life  in  Perry  County. 
In  his  twelfth  year  he  was  made  to 
realize  his  lost  and  ruined  condition 
without  Jesus,  professed  a  hope  in  the 
Saviour  in  1882,  united  with  the 
church  the  fO'ilowing  year  and  was  or- 
dained in  1889.  His  labors  have  been 
mostly  confined  to  the  churches  of  the 
Sandlick  Association,  which  body  he 
has  served  as  clerk,  though,  for  lack 
of  data,  a  fuller  sketch  of  his  life  and 
labors   could  not  .be  given. 


JOHN  C.  HALL. 

Hall,  Elder  John  C.  (1827-1901),  was 
the  oldest  son  of  William  and  Lucy  Hall 
and  was  born  in  Pittsylvania  County, 
Va.  In  about  1861  he  removed  to 
Franklin  County,  Va.,  where  he  lived 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  As  a  fel- 
low citizen  he  grew  in  favor  with  those 
of  his  adopted  county,  and  was  en- 
trusted with  much  public  service  which 
he  rendered  faithfully  and  satisfactor- 
ily. For  sixteen  years  he  was  com- 
missioner of  revenue  in  his  county, 
and  for  eight  years  was  county  treasur- 
er. He  enjoyed  the  most  implicit  con- 
fidence of  all  classes  with  which  be 
came  in  contact.  He  was  held  by  all 
who  knew  him  to  be  truthful,  honest, 
conscientious  and  sincere.  As  a  hus- 
band, he  came  not  behind  in  its  re- 
sponsibilities and  duties,  but  loved  his 
wife,  or  each  of  them,  for  he  was  twice 
married,  and  well,  truly  and  faithfully 
kept  inviolate,  to  the  best  of  his  ability, 
the  pledges  made  to  love,  keep  and  pro- 
tect them  in  sickness  and  in  health, 
and  thus  did  he  not  only  prove  and 
maintain  the  true  relationship  of  the 
husband,  but  that  of  a  true  minister  of 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


121 


the  gospel  and  servant  of  churches  as 
well.  As  a  father  he  seems  to  have 
studied  well  the  duties  of  such,  and  on 
all  occasions  did  he  endeavor  to  faith- 
fully and  truly  perform  those  duties.  In 
his  efforts  to  sustain  the  true  1  elation 
of  a  father  to  his  children  his  aim 
seems  to  have  been  to  live  before  them 
as  he  would  have  them  to  live  before 
him,  and  with  one  another.  When  he 
grew  up  to  manhood  he  was  led  into  the 
ways  of  Arminianism  and  became  to 
openly  hate  the  way  and  doctrine  of  the 
Primitive  Baptists  and  was  exceedingly 
bitter  against  them  and  like  a  young 
lion  dared  to  revile  them,  but  the  Lord 
sent  an  arrow  into  his  heart,  producing 
a  wound  from  which  he  never  recovered 
except  as  by  the  grace  of  God  through 
the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ.  His  convic- 
tions were  deep  and  pungent,  his  con- 
vertion  was  miraculous,  and  his  deliv- 
erance clear  and  decided.  He  joined 
the  church  at  White  Oak  Grove,  Floyd 
County,  Va.,  September  12,  1851,  and 
was  baptized  the  following  day  by 
Elder  Owen  Sumner,  and  having  in  him 
the  faith  that  was  in  Paul,  and  being 
not  disobedient  to  the  heavenly  vision 
which  he  had  seen,  and  which  all  of 
God's  called  and  sent  servants  see  he 
conferred  not  with  flesh  and  blood, 
but  at  the  next  meeting  made  his  first 
attempt  to  preach.  Being  ready  and  ac- 
tive in  business,  Brother  Hall  was,  in  a 
few  years  chosen  clerk  of  the  New  | 
River  District  Primitive  Baptist  Asso- 
ciation which  office  he  filled  faithfully 
and  efficiently  for  about  thirty  years, 
leaving  it  vacant  by  his  death.  He  was 
truly  a  pastor,  and  faithfully  served 
four  churches  for  about  thirty-seven 
years,  and  in  the  last  few  years  served 
two  others.  His  labors  were  blessed 
to  the  churches.  He  baptized  a  great 
many  as  seals  to  his  ministry,  and 
therefore  enjoyed  the  satisfaction  of  \ 
knowing  that  his  labors  were  not  in 
vain  in  the  Lord.  He  was  greatly  de-  | 
voted  to  th  cause  of  his  Master  and  to 
the  churches  he  served.  His  gift  was  j 
that  of  a  father,  of  which  Paul  says 
we  have  not  many.  His  gift  to  know 
and  proclaim  the  word,  to  administer 
tne  ordinances,  and  to  execute  the  dis- 
cipline and  maintain  the  order  of  the 
gospel  in  the  house  of  God  constituted 
him  one  of  the  ablest  ministers  of  the 
new  testament  of  his  day.  A  book 
might  be  written  of  this  good  man,  and 
still  something  more  might  be  said 
worthy  of  him. 


JOSEPH  HALL. 

Hall,   Elder  Joseph   of  Hilliard,  Ky.. 
was  born  March  29,  1864,  convicted  of 


sin  in  1876,  and  for  nine  years  tried 
many  "ways  and  means"  for  relief,  but 
all  in  vain.  Jesus,  the  sinners'  Friend, 
appeared  to  him  in  1885,  and  he  was 
given  a  good  hope  through  grace.  He 
united  with  Mill  Stone  Church,  1886, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Wm.  R. 
Craft.  In  1890  he  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry,  and  has 
since,  been  serving  from  two  to  five 
churches.  Elder  Hall  has  also  served 
as  clerk  of  the  Union  Association  for 
nearly  fifteen  years,  has  married  about 
seventy-five  couples,  served  his  native 
county  in  more  than  one  public  position 
and  is  a  useful  preacher. 


DRURY    HALSEY. 

Halsey,  Elder  Drury,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, was  the  son  of  Robert  and 
Polly  Halsey,  and  was  born  in  Gray- 
son County,  Va.,  May  2,  1832;  united 
with  the  Baptists  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen; married  to  Miss  Nancy  Busic 
in  his  nineteenth  year — which  union 
was  blessed  with  ten  children;  or- 
dained in  1868  and  for  twenty-six 
years  was  a  true  and  faithful  minis- 
ter. In  his  preaching  it  was  Jesus  all 
the  way  through, — a  complete,  all- 
sufficient  Saviour.  He  died  in  the  full 
triumphs  of  faith,  March  3,  1894. 


WM.  B.  HALSEY. 

Halsey,  Elder  Drury,  of  West  Vir- 
Virginia.  was  in  his  youth  wild,  reckless 
and  without  the  love  of  God  in  his 
heart  but  when  he  was  about  twenty 
years  old,  was  deeply  convicted  of  sin 
and  made  to  mourn  greatly  on  account 
of  his  corrupt  nature.  But  God  who 
quickened  him  into  divine  life,  gave 
him  a  view  of  Jesus  as  his  sin-bearer, 
and  called  him  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry. In  this  he  rebelled,  and  like 
Jonah  of  old,  undertook  to  flee  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the 
land  of  his  nativity.  But  God  was  with 
him,  and  he  was  made  willing  to  pro- 
claim His  truth.  He  was  ordained  by 
Fox  Creek  Church,  1864.  His  voice 
was  loud  and  commanding,  and  but 
few  ministers  of  his  day  excelled  him 
in  preaching  the  power  and  glory  of 
God's  salvation. 


ISAAC  HAMBY. 

Hamby,  Elder  Isaac,  of  Conyers,  Ga. 
Information  of  recent  date  relative  to 
this  faithful  minister  could  not  be  ob- 
tained but  from  his  writing  published 


122 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


in  1884,  it  is  learned  that  he  was  at  that 
time  in  his  seventy-eighth  year,  was 
then  and  had  been  for  eighteen  years, 
Moderator  of  the  Yellow  River  Asso- 
ciation. He  was  born  in  Jackson 
County,  Ga.,  September  20,  1806;  united 
with  Mt.  Zion  Church  in  Rockwell 
County,  1S29  and  baptized  by  Elder 
George  Daniel.  Soon  he  was  deeply 
impressed  to  preach  the  gospel  of 
grace  and  in  1848,  was  ordained  to  the 
work  by  Elders  Joel  Colley,  Willis  C. 
Norris  and  Benton  Daniel.  He  was  a 
strong,  earnest  preacher,  and  opposed 
with  all  his  abilities  the  modern  Mis- 
sionary plan  and  all  the  institutions  of 
men  as  auxiliaries  to  the  Church  of 
Christ  and  could  well  say,  "I  have  kept 
the  faith  and  fought  a  good  fight." 


JAS.     B.     HAMILTON. 

Hamilton,  Jas.  B.  (1819-18S7),  was 
born  and  raised  in  South  Carolina, 
and  moved  to  Georgia  at  the  age  of 
nineteen  and  lived  for  some  time  in 
Bibb  County.  He  subsequently  remov- 
ed to  Crawford  County,  where  he 
lived  several  years  and  from  there 
moved  to  Taylor  County  where  the 
principal  portion  of  his  life  was  spent. 
He  received  a  hope  in  Christ  at  about 
the  age  of  twenty-five,  and  joined  the 
Piimitive  Baptist  Church  at  Union, 
Crawford  County,  Ga.,  between  the 
ages  of  twenty-five  and  thirty,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Asa  Bell,  and 
commenced  preaching  in  1835.  He  was 
the  husband  of  four  wives  and  the 
father  of  twenty-three  children,  thir- 
teen of  whom  are  living.  His  life  was 
one  of  many  sore  trials  and  afflic 
tions,  having  had  fouiteen  deaths  in 
his  family  during  his  life — tfour  wives 
and  ten  children.  Brother  Hamilton 
was,  at  his  death,  the  oldest  minister 
belonging  to  the  Upatoie  Association. 
He  was  a  meek  man,  of  gentle  dispo- 
sition, and  a  sincere  Primitive  Bap- 
tist; and  lived  a  spotless  life,  and 
died  in  the  love  and  fellowship  of  his 
brethren. 


1865,  baptized  by   Elder  J.   C.  Hume- 
ordained    1875,    and   has    preached   ae 
ceptably   among   the   Baptists   in   sev- 
eral   states,   but   mostly    in    Illinois. 


W.    P.    HANDCOCK. 

Handcock,  Elder  W.  P.,  of  Eldorado, 
111.,  served  churches  within  the 
bounds  of  Muddy  River  Association. 
In  growing  up  he  had  no  advantages 
of  an  education,  but  by  close  study 
and  observation  has  acquired  much 
information.  He  was  convicted  of  sin, 
when  about  twenty-four  years  old, 
united    with    the    Baptist    Church    in 


LEE   HANKS. 

Hanks,  Elder  Lee,  of  Macon,  Ga.  was 
born  in  Pittsylvania  County,  Va.,  June 
13.  1861.  His  parents  were  not  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  but  honest,  moral 
upright  people.  They  were  poor  and 
the  effects  of  the  cruel  war  left  them 
quite  destitute.  After  an  illness  of 
some  years,  Elder  Hank's  father  died, 
April,  1869,  and  on  the  account  of  an  old 
afflicted  mother,  who  was  unable  to 
care  for  him  his  lot  was  cast  among 
those  who  cruelly  treated  him.  He  was 
turned  out  as  an  orphan  and  had  but 
little  opportunity  of  school  and  had  to 
work  very  hard,  exposed  to  cold  bare 
of  clothes  and  but  little  to  eat.  He 
never  was  at  an  Old  Baptist  Church 
conference  until  the  next  Saturday  aft- 
er he  joined  the  church.  He  did  not 
know  the  Old  Baptists  had  local  organ- 
ized churches  until  after  he  was  iden- 
tified with  them.  When  a  small  boy 
he  felt  deeply  concerned  about  his  fu- 
ture destiny  and  often  resorted  to  se- 
cret places  and  engaged  in  humble 
prayer  to  God  for  mercy.  His  own 
strength  and  righteousness  failed  him. 
and,  also  he  felt  wholly  condemned  to 
die  and  that  hell  would  be  his  awful 
doom.  After  a  month  (May,  1877)  of 
darkness  and  gloom  he  obtained 
a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus,  but  in 
September,  1877,  became  so  trou- 
bled he  left  Bland  County,  Va., 
and  went  to  West  Virginia.  Among 
strangers,  begging  his  way  as  a  poor 
tramp,  he  hired  to  a  Methodist  in  a 
neighborhood  of  Old  Baptists.    He  went 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


123 


to  hear  these  Baptists  preach  and  it  so 
filled  his  soul  with  gratitude  to  God  to 
hear  the  sweet  gospel  and  to  see  the 
image  of  Jesus  in  the  members  which 
made  him  feel  that  this  is  the  Church 
of  God  for  which  he  had  been  prayer- 
ully  searching.  Immediately  he  went 
to  them  and  was  received  and  baptized 
in  the  bounds  of  Indian  Creek  Associa- 
tion, W.  Va.,  October,  1S77,  though  he 
was  so  poor  he  borrowed  clothes  to  be 
baptized  in.  Soon  he  felt  a  mighty  im- 
pression to  preach  and  made  his  first 
attempt  in  1879.  Soon  afterward  he 
went  to  Georgia  and  was  in  18S5,  mar- 
ried to  Miss  L.  L.  Edwards;  studied 
hard  at  night  to  procure  an  education, 
and  after  a  hard  struggle,  obtained 
sufficient  knowledge  to  teach  school 
which  he  did  for  some  years.  The  min- 
isterial labors  of  Elder  Hanks  have 
been  mostly  among  the  Baptists  in 
Georgia,  with  the  exception  of  nine 
years  he  lived  at  Ozark,  Ala,  where  he 
had  the  care  of  several  churches  and 
was  clerk  of  the  Choctwhatchee  Asso- 
ciation for  eight  years.  His  labors 
have  been  blessed  of  the  Lord  and  he 
has  baptized  about  five  hundred  be- 
lievers into  the  fellowship  of  his 
churches,  among  them  his  mother,  wife, 
sister,  two  sisters-in-law  and  his  son, 
has  traveled  and  preached  in  twenty- 
two  states,  now  has  the  care  of  four 
churches,  has  written  an  interesting 
book  entitled  "Conflicts  of  a  Poor  Sin- 
ner," is  associate  editor  of  the  Gospel 
Messenger,  and  editor  of  the  Southern 
Department  of  the  Primitive  Baptist,  is 
an  interesting  speaker,  able  writer, 
and  boldly,  yet  in  love,  contends  for  the 
doctrine  and  practice  of  the  Apostolic 
Church.  For  his  outspoken  opposition 
to  Burnan,  Todd  and  Kirkland,  as  dis- 
turbers of  the  church,  as  well  as  for  his 
decided  stand  in  Georgia,  against  the 
introduction  of  instrumental  music  in 
churches  he  has  suffered  much  per- 
secution, yet  reviles  not  again,  but 
craves  peace  among  Old  Baptists  upon 
gospel  principles. 


W,    J.     HARDESTY. 

Hardesty,  Elder  W.  J.,  of  Middle- 
town,  Mo.  The  editor's  efforts  to 
procure  data  of  a  recent  date  from 
which  to  prepare  a  suitable  sketch  of 
Elder  Hardesty  proved  in  vain.  The 
following  information  is  found  in  Eld- 
er Cash's  book  published  in  1S9G: 
"Elder  Hardesty  was  born  in  Lincoln 
County,  Mo  ,  May  17,  1S48,  and  united 
with  Bryant's   Creek  Church  in   same 


county,  October  18,  1873.  He  was  or- 
dained October  23,  1S90,  and  for  some 
years  has  held  himself  ready  to  ans- 


W.   J.    HARDESTY 


wer  calls  for  his  services.   He  is  pas- 
tor of  three  churches." 


L.     H.     HARDY. 

Hardy,  Elder  L.  H.,  of  Reidsville, 
N.  C,  was  born  17th  of  Maich,  1853. 
His  ancestors  were  French  Hugenouts 
and  bore  the  name  Hardee.  They 
came  to  this  country  in  its  early  set- 
tlement, and  many  of  them  did  valu- 
able service  in  the  war  for  Independ- 
ence,   and      subsequent     histoiy.    The 


124 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


school      advantages      of   Elder    Hardy 
were  limited,   and   interrupted   entire- 
ly by  the  Civil  war,  which  left  his  pa- 
rents poor.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  his 
school  days  ended,  and  he  labored  on 
the  farm  and  in  the  shop.  During  his 
youth    he    had   many    interesting    and 
impressive  dreams;   and  though  often 
impressed  with   serious   thoughts   and 
duties    pertaining  to   his   eternal   wel- 
fare   he    tried    to    drive    them    off    by 
attending    dances    and    other    worldly 
amusements.      When      about      twenty 
years    of    age,    after    being    burdened 
with  a  realization  of  inbred  and  prac- 
tical sin,  he  was  given  a  sweet  hope 
in    Jesus, — the      old      song,    'Amazing 
Grace"  became  very  dear  to  him,  and 
a  sweet  peace  rested  in  his  heart  that 
the    world    could    not    give,    nor    take 
away;    and    in    July,    1873,    he    united 
with     the  church     at  Mewborns,  and 
was  soon  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
preaching.    This    impression    became 
so   strong  that  he   began   to   exercise 
his  gift  in  May,  1874.  He  was  ordain- 
ed  to   the   full   work  of  the   ministry 
July,  1877,  by  Elders  Bryan  WMtford 
and    Archibald    Jones,    and    has    since 
had  the     care     of  from     two  to  five 
churches,  some  of  them  being  built  up 
under  his  ministry.  Elder   Hardy  has 
traveled  extensively  and  preached  ac- 
ceptably, in  many  states.  In  his  early 
ministry  he  sailed   about  fifteen  hun- 
dred miles,  walked  about  twelve  hun- 
dred and  rode  in  private  conveyances 
about   a   thousand   miles    annually,    in 
the  service  of  his  Master.  During  the 
year    1906    he    preached    two    hundred 
and  forty     times     and     traveled  9,528 
miles,  and  yet  Primitive  Baptists  are 
called    anti-Missionaries,    and    charged 
with  being  opposed  to  preaching  the 
gospel.  This  is  because  they,  like  the 
Apostles,  are  willing  to  spend  and  be 
spent  in  the  Master's  cause,  going  as 
they    went,    without    guarantee    from 
man,    or   boards    of   men    for    support, 
trusting     God    and   looking     alone   to 
Him.  Elder  Hardy  has  baptized  many, 
married    quite    a   number    of   couples, 
served    his    people    in    different    posi- 
tions   always   to   his    honor   and   their 
good,    is    an    able    expounder    of    the 
■\\  ord      and      a      sweet      experimental 
preacher.  He  is  the  beloved  Moderat- 
or of  the  Country  Line  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Association. 


J.  B.  HARDY,  Jr. 

Hardy,  Elder  J.  B.  Jr.,  of  Croft, 
Kan.,  was  born  in  Crittenden  County, 
Ky.,  December  1G,  18C9;  professed  a 
hope  in  Jesus  quite  young;  joined  the 


Primitive  Baptist  Church  in  Barton 
County,  Kan.,  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
and  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  May  7.  1898,  by  orders  of 
Wolf  Creek  Church,  Saline  County, 
111.,  since  which  time  he  has  served 
as  pastor  from  two  to  four  churches 
until    1905,      when     he   moved    to   his 


J.    B.    HARDY,    JR. 

present  home  and  accepted  the  care 
of  Pleasant  Valley  Primitive  Baptist 
Church,  Kingman  County,  Kan.  He 
still  bias  the  care  of  this  church.  In 
1908  Elder  Hardy  became  joint  editor 
with  Elder  J.  W.  Fairchild  of  the  Foot- 
prints of  the  Flock,  and  is  an  able  ad- 
vocate of  the  doctrine  of  grace. 


JOHN  B.  HARDEE. 

Hardee,  Elder  John  B.,  son  of  Abram 
and  Polina  Hardee,  was  born  March  19, 
1841,  and  died  June  25  1896.  In  the 
spring  of  1S82,  he  professed  a  hope  in 
Christ,  and  was  baptized  the  following 
September.  Soon  after  uniting  with 
the  church,  he  had  impressions  to 
preach,  which  gave  him  much  trouble. 
Much  he  suffered,  feeling  his  unworth- 
iness,  yet  like  Paul  he  was  not  dis- 
obedient to  the  heavenly  calling.  In 
August,  1884,  he  was  liberated  by  the 
church  to  exercise  his  gift,  and  in 
November,  1886,  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  He  served 
churches  until  his  death  and  was  a 
faithful  soldier  of  Jesus,  a  good  citizen, 
affectionate  husband  and  good  neighbor 


THOS.    HARGIS. 

Hargis    Elder  Thos.,  was  a  native  of 
Marion    County,    Tenn.    His    member- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


125 


ship  was  at  Oak  Grove  Church  on 
Battle  Creek.  After  a  life  of)  useful- 
ness he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  sometime 
in  the  seventies.  Further  data  not  ob- 
tainable.   

E.  W.  HARLAND. 

Harland,  Elder  E.  W.,  of  Conners- 
ville,  Ind.  This  beloved  minister  is 
pastor  of  Lick  Creek,  Cedar  Creek 
and  Eagle's  Creek  Churches  in  the 
bounds  of  the  White  Water  Associa- 
tion of  Regular  Baptists  of  Indiana. 
He  is  also  the  able  Moderator  of  this 
Association  and  is  highly  esteemed 
as    a   faithful    pastor. 


SAMUEL    D.    HARLAN. 

Harlan,  Elder  Samuel'  D.  (1831- 
19u5),  son  of  Mathew  and  Jemina 
Harlan,  was  married  to  Mary  Kirk- 
patrick  of  Rush  County  1852;  united 
with  the  Baptist  church  at  Village 
Creek,  1849,  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry  in  1855,  and  for  over  half 
a  century,  stood  firm  in  his  Master's 
cause,  which  was  dearer  than  his 
own  life.  He  was  ever  ready  to  speak 
of  his  hope  and  defend  the  doctrine. 
He  traveled  many  miles  through 
storm  and  heat  to  lift  the  blood-stain- 
ed banner  of  King  Jesus,  and  say, 
"Behold  the  Lamb  of  God."  He  was  a 
safe  counsellor,  a  devoted  husband,  a 
kind  father,  an  obliging  neighbor,  a 
man  above  reproach.  His  Christian 
character  was  the  ripened  fruit,  the 
growth  of  many  years  in  the  Masters 
vineyard.  During  his  life  and  in  his 
death  he  gave  grand  testimony  of  the 
joys  of  heaven  that  awaited  him.  Dur- 
ing more  than  three  score  years  and 
ten  of  his  earthly  career,  he  erected, 
in  his  own  character,  to  the  memory 
of  his  Saviour  a  monument,  which 
will  grow  the  brighter,  as  the  cease- 
less ages  register  their  duration  upon 
the  dial  of  eternity.  There  is  nothing 
in  the  life  of  Elder  Harlan,  that  more 
forcibly  challenges  our  admiration 
and  demands  our  imitation,  than  his 
supreme  devotion  to  the  church  of  the 
living  God.  When  dark  clouds  hov- 
ered over  our  Master's  cause,  He  was 
ever  ready  to  cheer  the  hearts  of  the 
despondent;  and  it  can  be  truly  said 
of  him  that  he  died  at  his  post,  a 
faithful,  loval   soldier. 


MATTHEW   D.   HARLAN. 

Harlan,  Elder  Matthew  D.,  (1854- 
1902),  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
Harlan,    of    Indiana.      At    the    age    of 


seventeen,  he  received  a  hope  in  Christ 
and  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  church 
at  East  Fork,  Rush  County,  Ind.  In  May, 
1881,  he  was  ordained  as  a  gospel  min- 
ister. He  lived  for  the  good  he  mignt 
do.  He  was  ever  ready  to  sacrifice  self 
for  the  pleasure  and  happiness  and 
associations,  but  above  all,  he  loved 
God  and  found  his  greatest  pleasure 
in  doing  his  will,  and  in  trying  to  lead 
others  to  a  throne  of  grace.  His  life  is 
a  legacy  to  all  who  knew  him,  and  was 
such  that  death  had  no  sting  for  him. 
He  said  he  had  no  fears  of  death,  and 
that  he  was  ready  and  willing  to  go  at 
any  time  his  Master  called  him.  He 
was  a  good  neighbor,  an  earnest  and 
conscientious  christian  a  faithful  ser- 
vant of  his  Master. 


JAMES    HARPER. 

Harper,  Elder  James.  (1810-1SS6), 
of  Illinois,  was  born  in  Lewis  Coun- 
ty, Ky.,  December  24,  1810.  He  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  min- 
istry on  the  first  Saturday  in  August, 
1871.  He  was  very  highly  esteemed  by 
those  for  whom  he  labored,  and  it  is 
regretted  that  a  full  sketch  of  his 
life  and  labors  could  not  be  obtained. 


WM.    H.    HARRELL. 

Harrell,  Elder  Wm.  H.,  of  Dallas, 
Texas.  The  editor's  efforts  to  secure 
information  from  which  to  prepare  a 
suitable  sketch  proved  fruitless  and 
he  inserts  the  following  notice  of 
Elder  Harrell,  which  appears  in  Elder 


126 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Potter's  souvenir  book,  published 
1895;  "Elder  Harrell  was  born  in 
Georgia,  on  the  13th  day  of  July,  1846, 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
in  July,  1877,  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in  July,  1884, 
and  is  now  pastor  of  two  churches. 
He  is  the  evangelist  of  Texas." 


THEOPHILUS  HARRIS. 

Harris,  Elder,  Theophilus  (1768-1841) 
of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Wales, 
and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  the 
year  1794,  and  was  for  some  time  there- 
after engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits 
in  Alexandria;  but  for  the  last  thirty 
years  of  his  life  he  was  a  diligent  and 
untiring  laborer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard. 
The  doctrine  of  the  cross  of  Christ  was 
his  constant  and  in  fact  his  only  theme, 
and  no  weather  was  too  inclement  for 
him  to  attend  the  sanctuary,  even  to 
the  date  of  his  last  illness.  He  was  a 
zealous  and  powerful  advocate  for  the 
doctrine  of  particular  and  personal  re- 
demption through  the  blood  and  right- 
eousness of  our  blessed  Lord,  and, 
never  yielding  to  the  seductive  allure- 
ments of  the  times,  he  boldly  and  on 
every  suitable  occasion  denounced  the 
insidious  errors  of  Fullerism,  and 
stood  manly  up,  bearing  testimony  to 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Nothing  gave 
him  more  sincere  joy  than  to  behold 
the  dear  lambs  of  Christ  renouncing  the 
deceitful  and  evanescent  ties  of  this 
world  and  publicly  embracing  the  cause 
of  their  Lord  and  Saviour. 


T.  F.   HARRISON. 

Harrison,  Elder  T.  F.,  of  Oak  Level 
Ky.  Recent  information  of  Elder  Har- 
rison could  not  be  obtained,  but  from 
Elder  Potter's  Souvenir  book  published, 
1895,  it  is  learned  that  he  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  September  1,  1839; 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
church,  July,  1864;  was  ordained  to  the 
ministry,  August,  1869  and  was  then 
pastor  of  three  churches. 


ALDEN    L.   HARRISON. 

Harrison,  Elder  Alden  L.,  of  Ply- 
mouth, N.  C.,  the  son  of  Isaac  and 
Sabra  E.  Harrison,  was  born  near 
Plymouth,  N.  C,  April  3,  1874,  and  is 
the  youngest  of  fourteen  children.  He 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
at    Morrattock,    Washington    County, 


N.  C.,  in  January,  1894;  and  was  bap- 
tized by  his  brother,  Elder  N.  H.  Har- 
rison. In  March,  1897,  he  was  licensed 
and  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry  in  May,  1900,  by  Elders  N. 
H.  Harrison  and  M.  T.  Lawrence. 
Was  married  December,  1898, 
to        Miss      Hattie        P.        Lawrence, 


ALDEN   L.   HARRISON 

daughter  of  Elder  ML  T.  Lawrence, 
and  great  granddaughter  of  Elder 
Joshua  Lawrence.  They  have  three 
children,  Emily,  Thomas  and  Alice. 
Elder  Harrison  serves  the  ■  church  at 
Morrattock  as  associate  pastor  and  is 
also  pastor  of  Cross  Roads  Church  in 
Edgecombe   County,   N.   C. 


A.  J.   HARRISON. 

Harrison,  Elder  A.  J.,  of  Columbia, 
S.  C.  This  worthy  and  humble  minis- 
ter has  for  many  years  held  a  gov- 
ernment position  in  connection  with 
the  state  house  at  South  Carolina's 
capital;  yet  he  has,  as  opportunity 
has  presented,  preached  among  the 
churches  of  the  state.  Elder  Harrison 
was  also  sent  by  the  people  of  his 
county — Hampton — to  the  famous 
Constitutional  Convention  of  1895.  He 
is  a  worthy  citizen,  trusted  officer, 
kind  neighbor  and  esteemed  minister 
of  the  Primitive  or  Old  School  Bap- 
tist Church. 


ROBERT    H.    HARRIS. 

Harris,  Elder  Robert  H.,  of  Edge- 
combe County,  N.  C,  was  born  and 
raised  in  Person  County,  N.  C,  and 
moved  to  Edgecombe  County  soon  af- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


127 


tei-  the  war.  He,  in  his  youthful  days, 
united  with  the  Methodist  denomina- 
tion, and  while  with  them  he  felt  sat- 
isfied for  a  while  until  it  pleased  the 
Lord  to  show  him  the  exceeding  sin- 
fulness and  depravity  of  his  heart; 
then  he  said  he  felt  like  the  greatest 
sin  he  ever  committed  in  all  his  life 
was  the  partaking  of  the  Lord's  sup- 
per among  them,  making  it  appear 
that  he  was  a  Christian  when  he  had 
no  evidence  of  the  fact.  Soon  after  he 
moved  to  Edgecombe  County  it  was 
the  will  of  the  Lord  to  fully  open  the 
eyes  of  his  understanding  and  cause 
him  to  see  indeed  and  in  truth  that 
he  was  a  vile  and  helpless  sinner  in 
the  sight  of  a  just  and  holy  God,  and 
he  suffered  very  severely  until  he 
was  delivered  by  a  bright  and  glo- 
rious manifestation  of  Christ  as  his 
Saviour;  after  which,  feeling  it  to  be 
his  duty,  he  offered  himself  to  and 
was  received  into  the  fellowship  of 
the  church  at  Cross  Roads,  Edge- 
combe County,  N.  C,  April  IS,  18GS, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  John  W- 
Purvis.  The  church  soon  discovered 
that  he  was  called  to  a  more  noble 
work,  and  consequently  licensed  him 
and  soon  afterwards  he  was  ordained 
as  a  minister.  He  was  firm  and  well  es- 
tablished in  doctrine  and  practice, 
yet  was  charitable  ,  tender  hearted 
and  ever  ready  to  forgive  the  erring. 
He  was  a  man  that  possessed  great 
boldness  of  speech  in  declaring  the 
truth  and  exposing  error,  both  in  and 
out  of  the  church,  and  for  this  he  was 
not  esteemed  by  many;  but  he  labor- 
ed for  the  answer  of  a  good  con- 
science toward  his  God  and  his  puri- 
ty from  the  blood  cf  all  men. 


JOSIAH   HARRIS. 

Harris,  Elder  Josiah,  of  DuQuoin,  111., 
was  born  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  on 
May  26,  1833,  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  on  Saturday  before  the 
third  Sunday  in  February,  1860,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try in  September,  1864,  This  brief  no- 
tice of  Elder  Harris  is  from  Elder 
Potter's  book  published  1895  and  the 
editor  regrets  that  a  more  suitable 
sketch   could  not  appear. 


JOSEPH   HARTLEY. 

Hartley,  Elder  Joseph,  of  Kentucky, 
was  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers  of  his 
day.  He  was  born  in  Harden  County, 
February  28,  1800,  professed  a  hope  in 


Jesus  and  united  with  the  Baptists 
during  the  troublesome  times  of  the  di- 
vision between  the  Old  and  New  School 
and  remained  firm  in  the  Apostle's 
doctrine  and  practice,  was  well  known 
in  Southern  Illinois,  Indiana  and  Ken- 
tucky, moved  to  Oregon  in  the  Sixties 
and  died  there  August  13,  1867. 


PHILANDER    HARTWELL. 

Hartwell,  Elder  Philander,  (1854- 
1879),  of  New  Jersey.  As  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  a  faithful  preacher  of  the 
fullness  of  the  unsearchable  richness 
of  Christ,  Elder  Hartwell  had  few,  if 
any,  superiors.  He  was  peculiarly  en- 
dowed with  the  gifts  and  grace  essen- 
tial to  a  faithful  pastor,  and  his  labors 
of  love  in  the  churches  over  which  he 
so  long  occupied  the  position  of  pastor 
will  long  be  remembered  by  those  to 
whom  he  was  so  dear  for  the  truth's 
sake.  Not  only  was  he  faithful  as  a 
pastor,  but  he  was  faithful  as  a  friend, 
and  in  all  the  relation  of  life  his 
character  was  unblemished.  Elder 
Hartwell,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and 
for  many  years  previous,  was  pastor 
of  Hopewell  Church,  Hopewell,  N.  J. 
the  second  oldest  Old  School  Baptist 
Church  in  the  United  States,  and  the 
bne  that  has,  perhaps,  the  largest 
membership.  During  his  pastorate  the 
church  was  signally  blessed,  and  re- 
ceived at  different  times  ingatherings. 
He  administered  the  ordinances  of 
baptism  to  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
eight  persons  who  were  added  to  the 
First  Hopewell  Church — how  many  he 
baptized  into  the  communion  of  the 
Second  Hopewell  or  Harborton  Church 
is  not  known,  but  a  considerable  num- 
ber. He  married  two  hundred  and 
ninety-four  couples,  and  attended  about 
three  hundred  funerals,  within  the  last 
twelve  years  of  his  life.  With  such  a 
life  it  is  not  strange  that  so  many  fa- 
milies feel  themselves  sadly  bereaved 
— and  so  many  sympathizing  friends 
came  up  to  the  house  of  mourning  to 
testify  their  respect  to  the  deceased 
and  to  mingle  their  tears  with  the  des- 
olated ones.  Among  other  instances  of 
respect  and  sympathy  may,  with  pro- 
priety, be  noticed,  the  magnificent 
floral  offering  from  the  teachers  of  the 
model  School  of  Princeton,  of  which 
Mr.  A.  W.  Hartwell  is  principal,  and  the 
closing  of  the  other  houses  of  worship 
in  the  village  of  Hopewell,  pastors  and 
congregations  attending  the  funeral 
services. 


128 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


C.  B.  HASSELL. 

Hassell,  Elder  C.  B.,  of  North  Caro 
lina.  For  forty-five  years  a  minister, 
and  for  about  twenty-five  years,  per- 
haps, the  leading  minister  of  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church  in  North  Carolina, 
died  at  his  home  in  Williamston,  N.  C, 
April  11,  1880.  He  was  born  October 
14,  1808,  sent  to  school  at  irregular  in- 
tervals from  his  third  to  his  fifteenth 
year  at  which  time  his  father,  Joshua 
N.  Hassell  died  and  he  was  called  from 
school  to  support  his  mother,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Martha  Biggs.  At 
school  he  was  noted  for  his  aptness  to 
learn,  his  steady,  moral  habits  and 
serious  disposition,  and  when  in  his 
eighteenth  year  entered  into  the  fol- 
lowing five  resolutions:  "To  abstain 
from  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors 
tobacco,  gaming  and  profanity,  and  to 
be  strictly  honest,  truthful  and  upright  > 
in  all  his  dealings."  At  an  early  age 
he  entered  the  mercantile  profession 
and  followed  it,  quite  successfully  all 
his  life,  and  for  many  years  he  also  suc- 
cessfully filled  the  following  positions, 
Trustee  of  the  Williamston  Academy; 
Founder,  Secretary,  Treasurer  and  Li- 
brarian of  the  Williamston  Library  As- 
sociation; Trustee  and  Member  of  the 
Board  of  Examiners  of  the  University 
of  North  Carolina;  Agent  of  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Board  of  Superintendents  of 
Common  Schools  of  Martin  County, 
transacting  all  the  laborious  and  diffi- 
cult work  of  that  office;  Clerk  and 
Master  in  Equity  for  Martin  County; 
President  of  the  Roanoke  Steam  Navi- 
gation Company;  Treasurer  of  Martin 
County,  only  four  votes  in  the  county 
being  cast  against  him;  was  chosen 
delegate  to  the  State  Convention,  Feb- 
ruary, 1861,  and  he  served  as  delegate 
to  the  important  Constitutional  State 


Convention  of  1875.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried; first  in  1832  to  Mary  Davis,  who 
died  in  1846.  In  1849  he  was  married 
to  Martha  Maria  Jewett  of  Warwick 
N.  Y.,  the  widow  of  Elder  Daniel  E. 
Jewett.  When  about  twenty  years  old 
he  was  deeply  convicted  of  sin,  fled 
to  the  law  for  refuge  and  after  vainly 
trying  to  keep  the  law  was  given  a  view 
and  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  and  made  to 
feel  that  He  alone  was  the  end  of  the 
law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that 
believeth,  united  with  Skewarkey, 
Church  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Jo- 
seph Biggs,  March  1828,  chosen  dea- 
con in  1833,  licensed  to  preach  in  1840, 
and  ordained  in  1842  by  Elders  James 
Osborn,  Jos.  Biggs  and  William  Whit- 
aker.  He  was  immediately  called  to 
the  service  of  churches  and  was  in  1859 
chosen  Moderator  of  the  Kehukee  Asso- 
ciation, and  was  continually  re-elected 
till  his  death.  During  his  ministry  he 
assisted  in  twenty-five  ordinations, 
baptized  three  hundred  and  thirty  per- 
sons, married  ninety-six  couples, 
preached  about  2100  sermons  and 
traveled  many  thousands  of  miles, 
visiting  churches  and  associations  in 
the  United  States  and  Canada^  never 
charging  for  his  labors,  but  going  in 
the  way  the  apostles  went,  believing 
that  the  Bible  plan  was  all  suffiicent 
and  the  only  one  that  glorifies  God  and 
benefits  man. 


SYLVESTER    HASSELL. 

Hassell,  Elder  Sylvester,  of  Wil- 
liamston, N.  C,  minister,  historian, 
teacher,  is,  perhaps,  the  best  author- 
ity on  church  history  in  North  Caro- 
lina, and  stands  among  the  foremost 
thinkers  ami  writers  cf  the  United 
States.  His  ancestors  came  from  Eng- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


129 


land  to  North  Carolina  in  the  Eigh- 
teenth century.  His  parents  were  Eld- 
er C.  B.  Hassell  and  his  first  wife, 
Mary  Davis.  He  was  born  in  Wlil- 
liamston,  N.  O,  on  the  lot  where  he 
still  lives,  July  28,  1842;  educated  at 
the  Wliliiamston  Academy  and  the 
University  of  North  Carolina,  taking 
a  high  stand  at  both  and  graduating 
with  honors.  He  is  proficient  in  sev- 
eral languages,  was  principal  of  a 
school  for  young  men,  in  Wilson  N. 
C,  and  professor  of  languages  in  a 
northern  college  for  some  years.  He 
published,  in  1886,  the  Church  His- 
tory, the  most  complete  work  of  its 
kind  ever  published  by  our  people, 
and  a  monument  more  lasting  than 
granite,  to  him  and  his  father,  who 
began  the  work.  In  1892  he  became 
associate  editor  of  the  Gospel  Mes- 
sage, and  in  1S9G,  its  proprietor  and 
managing  editor.  Of  the  dozen  or 
more  religious  periodicals  published 
among  our  people,  the  Gospel  Mes- 
senger, is  perhaps,  the  most  schol- 
arly, and  is  a  source  of  extensive 
valuable  information  as  well  as  a  safe 
counsellor  in  doctrine  and  practice. 
Elder  Hassell  has  been  twice  mar- 
ried, first  to  Mary  Isabella  Yarrell, 
in  1869.  His  second  wife  to  whom  he 
was  married,  in  1876,  was  Francis 
Louisa  Woodard.  This  gifted  brother 
received  a  hope  in  Christ  August  17, 
1863,  was  baptized  by  his  father,  Jan- 
uary 10,  1871,  and  ordained  August  9, 
1874.  He  is  the  beloved  pastor  of 
Skewarky        and        Great  Swamp 

Churches,  and  the  Moderator  of  the 
Old  Kehukee  Association.  He  has 
traveled  extensively  in  the  United 
States,  and  has,  a  few  times,  visited 
Canada  on  preaching  tours.  His  ser- 
vices are  much  sought  after,  his 
preaching  not  "with  enticing  words  of 
man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration 
of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  his  views,  on 
various  subjects  greatly  sought  for, 
he  having, — since  his  becoming  edit- 
or of  the  Messenger,  received  and 
answered  thousands  of  letters,  annu- 
ally. A  remarkable  characteristic  of 
Elder  Hassell,  and  one  noted  by  all 
who  are  associated  with  him,  is  his 
great  learning,  and  his  great  humility. 
Though  blessed  with  much  learning, 
he — like  the  great  Apostle  to  the  Gen- 
tiles,— is  not,  by  it,  made  mad,  but 
with  soberness,  speaks  the  truth  in 
love.  He  makes  no  effort  to  display 
his  wisdom,  but  manifests  the  sweet 
simplicity  of  a  child,  and  one  can 
hardly  be  with  him  without  learning 
some  lesson  of  humility,  love  and 
service  to  others.  Elder  Hassell  is  not 
only  a  sweet  preacher,  and  able  writer, 


but  is  deserving  the  title  among  Bap- 
tists, as  The  Peace-Maker.  A  great 
portion  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in 
the  worthy  effort  to  unify  our  people, 
to  remove  offenses  and  establish  fel- 
lowship upon  the  doctrine  and  prac- 
tice of  Christ  and  the  Apostles,  and 
we  feel  God  has  greatly  blessed  him 
in  this  and  that  he  shall  possess  the 
peace-makers'  reward.  Recently  Elder 
R.  W.  Thompson  writes  of  him: 
"Brother  Hassell  is  one  of  the  most 
humble,  loving,  gentle,  kind  and  es- 
timable men  among  men;  yet  he  is 
strong,  firm,  fearless  and  able  in  de- 
fense of  the  truth  for  truth's  sake,  the 
glory  of  God,  the  good  and  comfort 
and  peace  of  all  the  redeemed  and 
saved  in  the  Lord,  for  whom  he  has 
the  greatest  concern  and  the  most 
tender  regard.  He  is  considered  one 
of  the  ablest,  wisest  and  safest  ex- 
ponents of  the  literal  and  spiritual 
interpretation  of  the  Scriptures  we 
have;  holding  them  unmixed  with  the 
doctrines  and  new-born  theories  of 
men;  zealously  opposing  all  depar- 
tures in  doctrine  or  practice,  defend- 
ing the  purity  of  the  gospel  church  in 
its   apostolic   doctrine   and   practice." 


ABNER    HAVOLDSON. 

Havoldson,  Elder  Abner  (1770-1843) 
of  Hopkins  County,  Ky.,  was  an  able 
and  uncompromising  minister  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ.  His  labors  were 
mostly  confined  to  churches  within  the 
bounds  of  the  Highland  Association. 


WILLIAM   HAWKINS. 

Hawkins,  Elder  William  (1826-1894), 
of  Virginia,  was  born  in  Ashe  County, 
N.  C,  and  died  at  his  home  On  Rock 


130 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Creek,  Grayson  County,  Va.  He  was 
in  1851  married  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Mc- 
Bride;  professed  a  hope  in  Jesus  in 
1856,  and  joined  Rock  Creek  Church 
same  year;  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Enoch  Reeves,  ordained  deacon  in  1868,. 
licensed  to  preach  in  1870  and  in  1872 
was  ordained  to  the  ministerial  work 
by  Elders  George  Douglas,  Thomas 
Carr,  W'm.  Lundy,  B.  E.  Caudill,  S.  M. 
Dicky  and  G.  Hackler.  Until  his  death 
he  was  in  the  service  of  churches  and 
served  as  Moderator  of  the  Mountain 
Association  the  last  two  years  of  his 
life.  He  traveled  thousands  of  miles 
through  all  kinds  of  weather  preaching 
the  gospel  of  love  without  charge,  and 
was  honored  and  esteemed  by  those 
among  whom  he  so  faithfully  labored- 
Bold  and  uncompromising  with  error 
he  earnestly  contended  for  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints.  Salva- 
tion by  grace,  and  practical  godliness 
were  the  main  themes  of  his  preach- 
ing. 


A.   B.   HAWKS. 

Hawks,  Elder  A.  B.,  was  born  April 
19,  1857,  in  Grayson  County,  Va.  He 
was  married  to  Sylvina  daughter  of 
Mark  R.  and  Lucinda  Simcox  in  De- 
cember, 187S.  This  union  was  blessed 
with  five  sons  and  three  daughters, 
all  o.  whom  are  living  except  one  in- 
fant which  preceded  him  to  the  glory 
land.  He  was  known  as  being  a  very 
moral  boy  in  youth — professed  a  hope 
in  his  eighteenth  year  and  united  with 
the  Methodists.  He  stayed  with  them 
about  three  years  but  becoming  dis- 
satisfied with  the  doctrine  they 
preached,  believing  it  was  not  in  ac- 
cord with  the  Scriptures,  he  withdrew 
from  them  and  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church.  Soon  after  uniting 
with  the  church  he  felt  impressed  by 
the  Spirit  to  stand  as  a  watchman 
on  the  walls  of  Zion,  but  viewing  his 
weakness  and  unworthiness,  he 
strove  against  this  impression  for 
some  years.  He  was  finally  made  to 
yield,  and  with  fear  and  trembling- 
came  before  the  church  in  August, 
1892,  and  asked  for  liberty  to  speak 
an  public.  His  request  was  gladly  com- 
plied with  and  on  the  following  day 
made  his  first  effort  to  proclaim  the 
glad  tidings  of  salvation.  His  educa- 
tion was  so  deficient  that  he  could 
scarcely  read  intelligently,  yet  he  had 
wonderful  understanding  in  regard  to 
the  Scriptures.  The  church,  seeing  his 
gift,  he  was  ordained  in  1897.  He  was 
soon  called  to  take  the  pastoral  care 
of  several  churches,  whicn  he  served 
faithfully   until   his   death. 


W.  R.  HELMES. 

Helms,  Elder  W.  R.,  of  Charlotte, 
N.  C,  was  born  in  Union  County,  N. 
C,  April  19,  1858,  became  deeply 
convicted  of  sin  in  1873,  blessed  with 
a  hope  in  Christ  in  1874  and  joined 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at 
High  Hill  and  baptized  in  1881.  He 
began  to  speak  in  public  in  1898  and 
was  ordained  some  three  years  later. 
He  was  raised  on  the  farm  where  he 
has  lived  most  of  his  life.  Elder 
Helmes  is  a  modest,  quiet,  unassum- 
ing, good  and  humble  man  and  very 
much  beloved  and  speaks  to  the  com- 
fort of   the   church. 


J.   E.  W.   HENDERSON. 

Henderson,  Elder  J.  E.  W.,  of  Troy, 
Ala.,  was  born  January  23,  1839.  His 
father,  John  D.  Henderson,  and  moth- 
er, Sarah  Thompson,  were  natives  of 
South  Carolina,  and  were  members  off 
the  Baptist  Church  before  the  divi- 
sion in  1832.  His  father  devoted  his 
life  to  hard,  manual  labor,  but  never 
accumulated  much  property,  and  at 
the  age  when  children  are  commonly 
put  into  school  he  was  unable  to  af- 
ford the  subject  of  this  sketch  such 
advantage,  and  he  grew  up  to  man- 
hood without  education,  having  spent 
only  about  two  months  in  school  dur- 
in  his  life.  He  served  in  the  Confed- 
erate army  for  a  term  of  three  years 
and  three  months;  and  while  this  de- 
prived him  of  the  comforts  of  home 
and  the  society  of  loved  ones  (hav- 
ing a  precious  wife  and  three  children 
sat  home),  it  pleased  the  Lord  of 
heaven  and  earth  to  visit  him  with 
quickening    power;    and    on    the    11th 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


131 


day  of  August,  1862,  he  felt  a  powerful 
sense  of  his  pardoning  mercy  which 
left  him  in  possession  of  a  precious 
hope  that  all  will  be  well  with  him 
beyond  this  vale  of  sorrow  and  afflic- 
tion. Having  obtained  leave  of  ab- 
sence from  the  army,  in  August,  18G3, 
he  visited  his  family,  and  attended 
and  united  with  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  at  Hopeful,  Russell  Coun- 
tl,  Ala.,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  L. 
B.  Porter.  He  was  in  IS 71  ordained 
by  Elders  Wm.  M.  Mitchell  and  C.  S. 
Tate,  at  Mt.  Olive  Church,  and 
though  now  about  seventy  years  old 
— (1908)—  yet  is  serving  three 
churches  regularly.  Elder  Henderson 
is  associate  editor  of  the  Gospel  Mes- 
senger, is  a  fluent  and  able  writer,  a 
gifted  preacher,  and  fully  satsified 
with  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  the 
apostolic  church  and  wishes  to  apply 
alone  the  principles  and  practices  to 
his  own  churches.  His  writings  are 
greatly  enjoyed  by  readers  of  The 
Messenger. 


T.    R.    HENDRICKS. 

Hendricks,  Elder  T.  R.,  was  born 
August  4,  1836,  died  October  20,  1907. 
He  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  at  Clear  Creek,  Henry  County, 
Tenn.,  when  about  eighteen  years  old 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  T.  L.  Dan- 
iel. He  soon  began  to  talk  in  public 
at  school  houses  in  the  neighborhood. 
He  felt  that  he  could  not  be  content 
unless  he  preached  the  gospel;  so  for 
mar,y  years  ne  was  a  regular  attend- 
ant at  the  meetings  of  the  churches, 
taking  an  active  part  in  the  services. 
The  writer  does  not  know  when  he 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry; however,  after  his  ordination 
he  served  the  churches  at  Clear 
Creek,  Bethlehem  and  Beaverdam  as 
pastor  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was 
known  as  an  humble  God-fearing  man 
who  loved  the  truth  of  salvation  by 
grace.  His  walk  was  orderly,  a  good 
citizen  and  neighbor,  and  very  atten- 
tive to  the  sick  and  afflicted. 


W.  J.    HESS. 

Hess,  Elder  W.  J.,  was  born  in 
Waverly,  Bremer  County,  Iowa,  in 
1855,  In  1867,  with  his  parents,  who 
were  Old  School  Baptists,  he  mcved 
to  Oregon,  settling  near  Portland. 
Next  he  moved  to  Clatsop  County, 
where  in  May,  1877,  he  professed  a 
hope    in    Christ   and   was   baptized   in 


Lewis  and  Clark  river  by  Elder  J.  A. 
Bullock.  He  was  married  to  Miss  So- 
nora  A.  Flanary  in  1878,  and  in  the 
fall  of  that  year  moved  to  Klickitat 
County,  Washington  Territory,  locat- 
ing near  Goldendale  where  he  contin- 
ued to  live  until  the  fall  of  1900,  when 
he  moved  to  Yakima  County,  his  pres- 
ent home.  He  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry  in  October,  1902,  and 
the  following  November  was  called  to 
be  pastor  of  Pleasant  Grove  Church 
where,  "by  the  grace  and  mercy  of 
God."  he  writes,  "I  continue  to  this 
day  teaching,  in  much  weakness,  that 
salvation,  both  for  time  and  eternity, 
is  by  grace  through  faith  from  first 
to  last."  

DANIEL    HESS. 

Hess,  Elder  Daniel,  was  born  Oc- 
tober 14,  1827,  in  the  state  of  Ohio, 
and  died  very  suddenly  in  company, 
with  his  wife  and  other  friends  on  a 
street  car  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  December 
3,  1905.  The.  life  of  Elder  Hess  as  a 
Baptist  is  one  of  the  grandest  dis- 
plays of  the  doctrine  of  salvation  by 
grace  that  has  been  in  modern  times. 
He  was  raised  in  the  lap  of  luxury, 
being  very  wealthy,  and  of  course  was 
reared  in  the  high  circles  of  life,  yet 
the  Mighty  God  who  rules  heaven  and 
earth  brought  him  to  see  that  he  was 
nothing  but  a  miserable  sinner,  and 
revealed  Jesus  Christ  to  him  as  the 
hope  of  his  salvation,  directed  him  to 
the  Old  Baptists  when  he  did  not 
know  there  -u  as  such  a  people  on 
earth.  His  travels  to  the  church  and 
his  call  to  the  ministry  were  wonder- 
ful indeed.  He  was  a  great  blessing 
to  the  Baptists,  every  ready  to  lend 
a  helping  hand  to  those  who  were  in 
need,  was  one  of  the  best  fireside 
conversationalists,  and  always  en- 
couraging the  Lord's  people  to  the  dis- 
charge of  duty  by  forsaking  the  world 
and  taking  up  their  cross  and  follow- 
ing their  Lord  and  Master  in  all  the 
ordinances  of  the  gospel.  There  was 
no  respect  of  persons  with  him;  he 
was  the  same  humble,  child-like  Chris- 
tian in  the  home  of  the  poor  that  he 
was  in  the  stately  mansion  of  the 
rich.  He  was  twice  married.  His  first 
wife  was  Miss  Eliza  Shattuck,  of  his 
native  state,  who  died  about  ten  years 
ago,  while  living  in  Columbus,  Ga.  A 
few  years  later  he  married  Mrs.  Kate 
Green,  the  widow  of  the  late  Alfred 
Green,   of  Atlanta. 


JOHN    C.    HEWITT. 

Hewitt,    Elder   John    C,      of      North 

Carolina,   was  born   in   Jones   County, 


132 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


in  January,  1822,  and  united  with 
White  Oak  Church  in  Jones  County, 
in  1853,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Josiah  Smith;  was  ordained  in  18G2, 
and  was  a  zealous  and  fearless 
preacher.  As  a  man  he  was  sincerely 
esteemed  and  loved  for  bis  meek  and 
humble  spirit  and  godly  deportment. 
Elder  Hewitt  was  a  member  of  the 
White  Oak  Association,  a  band  of 
brethren  true  and  humble,  affection- 
ate and  kind  to  each  other.  Our  min- 
istering brethren  who  visit  among 
them  will  testify  to  the  sincerity  and 
godliness  of  their  character.  He  died 
in  1884  in  the  full  triumph  of  faith 
he  had  preached  to  others. 


WM.    HICKMAN. 

Hickman,  Elder  William  H.,  was 
born  in  Indiana  on  the  29th  day  of 
March,  1843,  and  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  in  1870,  and  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in 
1876.  For  want  of  late  information 
this  brief  notice  of  Elder  Hickman  is 
taken  from  Elder  Potter's  book  pub- 
lished in  1895. 


I.    D,    HIGDON 

Higdon,  Elder  I.  D.  (1818-1894).,  was 
born  in  Barren  County,  Ky.,  and 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists  in 
1837.  He  moved  to  Iowa  in  1840,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry  in  18G8.  He  moved  to  Mis- 
souri in  the  year  1873,  where  he  died 
February  23,  his  membership  being 
with  Marion  Church,  Ray  County,  Mo. 
His  love  for  pure  doctrine  and  a  g'od- 
ly  life  commended  him  to  the  house- 
hold of  faith,  and  it  is  regretted  that 
a    full    sketch    of    his    life    cannot    be 

given.  1 — 

H.    M.    HIGGINBOTHAM. 

Higginbotham,  Elder  H,  M.  (1806- 
1886),  of  Georgia,  and  for  thirty-four 
years  a  faithful  minister.  His  name 
will  ever  fill  a  pleasant  place  in  the 
memory  of  the  church  at  Providence, 
and  indeed  with  all  lovers  of  the  pre- 
cious truths  of  the  gospel  who  kne-w 
him.  He  was  a  man  of-  unblemished 
character;  strictly  honest  in  all  his 
dealings  with  his  fellow  man.  As  a 
citizen,  or  good  neighbor,  he  had  no 
superior;  as  a  Christian,  he  lived 
without  a  blot  on  his  religious  pro- 
fession, and  as  a  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, he  was  sound,  faithful  and  un- 
compromising. It  can  truly  be  said  cf 
him  that  he  was  an  able  gospel  min- 
ister; strictly  apostolic  in  all  his 
preaching      and      practice,      opposing, 


with  all  the  powers  of  his  might,  the 
new  isms  of  the  day.  Fiona  the  day 
he  united  with  the  church  until  the 
day  of  his  death,  he  stood  firm  in  the 
doctrine  of  salvation  by  grace,  and 
grace  alone.  He  was  a  strong  believer 
and  defender  of  the  doctrine  of  pre- 
destination, God's  electing  love,  ef- 
fectual calling  and  the  final  persever- 
ance of  the  saints  in  grace.  He  ignor- 
ed all  auxiliary  institutions  gotten  up 
by  man  to  aid  God  in  the  salvation  of 
poor  sinners,  or  to  add  to  the  pro- 
gress of  the  church;  claiming  that 
God's  plan  of  saving  sinners  was  a 
perfect  plan,  and  that  "Jesus,"  who 
is  the  Saviour  of  his  people,  is  mighty 
and  able  to  save,  and  that  his  Spirit, 
grace  and  perfect  law  of  liberty, 
which  He  has  given  Zion  for  her 
prosperity  and  happiness,  is  sufficient 
and  will  prevail  in  her  preservation,  so 
that  the  gates  of  hell  shall  never  pre- 
vail against  her.  And  to  presume  to 
add  to  the  work  of  his  Spirit,  grace 
and  his  precious  rule,  is  high  pre- 
sumption, and  a  mark  of  the  beast.  A 
volume  might  be  written  concerning 
the  faith,  hope,  walk  and  able  teach- 
ings of  Elder  Higginbothem,  how  faith- 
fully he  served  churches  in  Alabama 
and  Georgia,  but  suffice  it  to  say  that 
he  was  loyal  to  his  blessed  Master  un- 
to death,  and  as  we  believe  is  now 
realizing  in  spirit  immortality,  while 
his  body  is  sweetly  sleeping  in  Jesus. 


G.    E.    HIGDON. 

Higdon,    Elder    G.    E.,    of    Knoxville, 
Tenn.,   was   born  in   Wapello   County, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


133 


Iowa,  June  12,  1850,  and  moved  to 
Missouri  in  the  year  1873.  He  united 
with  Marion  Church,  Ray  County, 
Mo.,  on  the  fourth  Saturday  in  April, 
1886,  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1891, 
and  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry  in  1893.  He  has  the  care  of 
four  churches  and  is  zealous  in  the 
cause.  This  brief  sketch  from  Elder 
Cash's  book  published  1896,  and  is 
inserted  for  want  of  data  from  which 
to  prepare  a  more  complete  sketch. 


HENRY    HILL. 

Hill,  Elder  Henry  (1805-1884),  of 
Missouri,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  Jan- 
uary 2,  1805,  and  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptists  in  that  state  Moved  to  Mis- 
souri, and  he  was  identified  with  the 
Baptists  in  the  first  settlement  of  the 
country-  In  the  year  1832,  he  was 
elected  clerk  of  Fishing  River  Asso- 
ciation, and  in  the  year  1838  became 
Moderator  of  that  well  known  body 
of  Baptists,  and  served  in  that  capac- 
ity twenty-nine  years,  standing  firmly 
against  all  innovations  in  doctrine  and 

practice.  ■ — 

J.    M.    HINDS. 

Hinds,  Elder  J.  M.,  of  Lenoir,Tenn., 
is  a.  faithful  under-shepherd  in  the 
Master's  kingdom,  has  the  care  of 
churches  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Hiwassee  Association  of  Primitive 
Baptists  and  is  the  beloved  'Modera- 
tor of  this  body. 


LEVI    V.    HITE. 

Hite,  Elder  Levi  V.,  of  Marion,  O. 
This  highly  esteemed  minister  was 
born  in  Wyandotte  County,  O.,  August 


14,  1869,  and  reared  by  O'ld  School 
Baptist  parents;  his  father  being  a 
deacon  in  Rocky  Fork  Church  and  his 
mother  a  sister  of  Elder  L.  B.  Sher- 
wood. He  realized  his  sinful  condition 
in  early  life,  received  a  hope  in  Christ 
in  October,  1887,  united  with  the 
above  named  church  October,  1890, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  L.  E. 
Thomas  at  which  time  he  received  his 
first  impression  to  preach.  But  he 
kept  this  to  himself — or  tried  to — 
and  did  not  begin  speaking  in  public 
until  September,  1898.  In  February, 
1902,  he  was  ordained  by  Elders  A. 
F.  Dove,  L.  E.  Thomas  and  A.  S. 
Shoemaker.  Elder  Hite  is  now  serving 
three  churches  regularly  and  his 
labors  have  been  blessed  to  the  com- 
fort and  edification  of  God's  humble 
poor,  and  to  the  ingathering  and  build- 
ing up  of  the  church.  He  was  on  Octo- 
ber 13,  1892,  married  to  Miss  Adah 
"Williams. 


D.    L.    HITCHCOCK. 

Hitchcock,  Elder  D.  L.,  of  Georgia, 
died  very  suddenly  at  Eatonton,  Put- 
nam County,  Ga.,  October  1,  1903,  in 
his  ninetieth  year.  He  had  been  a 
Primitive  Baptist  for  about  seventy- 
five  years  and  a  faithful  minister  of 
the  gospel  for  over  sixty  years.  To 
say  that  his  life  has  always  been  an 
exemplary  one,  and  his  ministry  a 
firm,  faithful,  and  acceptable  one  with 
his  brethren,  does  but  feebly  express 
the  many  virtues  and  life  of  this 
good  man.  He  was  great  in  goodness, 
and  gcod  in  greatness.  His  counsel 
and  advice  was  good  and  always  ap- 
preciated by  all  who  knew  him.  As  a 
citizen  he  was  a  noble  man.  As  a 
Christian  and  gospel  minister  he  was 
a  shining  light;  none'  ever  knew  him 
but  to  respect  and  love  him.  He  was 
for  over  thirty  years  Moderator  of  the 
Ocmulgee  Association,  and  was  a 
great  gift  to  the  church. 


CHARLES    HODGES. 

Hodges,  Elder  Charles,  of  Missis- 
sippi, who  died  about  1857,  was  fqr 
many  years  the  Moderator  of  the 
Tombigby  Association,  and  was  able 
in  doctrine,  exhortation  and  discipline. 
He  was  also  noted  for  his  gift  of  sing- 
ing. Further  information  of  the  life 
and  labors  of  this  faithful  minister 
cannot  be  abtained,  hence  this  brief 
sketcn. 


134 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


H.   C.   HOGAN. 

Hogan,  Elder  H.  C,  of  Dickson, 
Term.  For  the  last  twenty  years  Elder 
Hogan  has  been  preaching  Jesus  the 
way,  the  truth  and  the  life.  He  has, 
perhaps  traveled  more  and  done  more 
evagelistic  work  than  any  other  min- 
ister of  his  age,  among  our  people.  He 
was  born  in  Obion  County,  Tenn.,  July 
1,  1864,  raised  by  Primitive  Baptist 
parents — his  father  uniting  with  the 
church  in  his  fiftieth  year  of  age; 
had  serious  thoughts  about  death  and 
eternity  from  early  childhood,  but 
this  did  not  keep  him  from  being 
stubborn  and  rough  with  his  little 
sisters.  The  first  sermon  that  made 
any  serious  impression  upon  him  v  as 
preached  by  Elder  T.  S.  Dalton,  from 
the  text,  "Ye  must  be  born  again." 
This  bore  heavily  on  his  mind,  and 
soon  the  full  weight  of  his  condem- 
nation before  God  rested  on  him.  But 
God  gave  relief  in  Jesus  and  a  love 
for  the  dear  old  church,  but  for  two 
years  he  lingered  outside  the  fold 
feeling  two  young  and  timid  as  there 
were  no  young  people  members  of  the 
old  church.  However,  when  about  fif- 
teen years  of  age  he  joined  Cane 
Creek  Church  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  N.  G.  Phillips.  He  was  ordain- 
ed Dec,  1887,  by  Elders  J.  K.  Stephen 
and  S.  F'.  Cayce.  In  a  recent  publica- 
tion Elder  Hogan  says:  "I  served 
churches  in  Middle  Tennessee  about 
seven  years,  but  have  given  them  all 
up  now  and  devote  all  my  time  to 
traveling.  I  am  anxious  to  be  of  some 
comfort  to  God's  people  and  glorify 
my  blessed  Master.  I  am  especially 
anxious      to    go    to      destitute     places 


where  the  gospel  is  not  preached,  as 
the  apostle  says,  'in  the  regions  be- 
yond.' I  have  traveled  in  twenty-three 
states,  Indian  Territory  and  District 
of  Columbia.  I  have  traveled  as  many 
as  ten  thousand  miles  in  a  year.  I 
pray  the  Lord  to  guide  my  footsteps 
in  such  a  way  that  I  may  never  bring 
reproach  on   His  blessed  cause." 


WILLIAM     HOGAN. 

Hogan,  Elder  William,  of  Illinois, 
was  born  March  10,  1814,  and  united 
with  New  Salem  Church,  Brown 
County,  Ills.,  in  February,  1842.  He 
was  ordained  in  May,  1843,  and  died 
September  6,  1869.  From  Elder  Cash's 
book,  1896.  Further  information  of 
Elder  Hogan's  life  and  labors  could 
not  be  obtained. 


R.   M.    HOGGATT. 

Hoggatt,  Elder  R.  M.,  of  Ashton, 
Kan.,  was  born  in  Macoupin  County, 
Ills.,  March  19,  1839,  and  received  a 
hope  when  he  was  seventeen  years  of 
age.  He  first  united  with  the  New 
School  Baptists,  but  becoming  dis- 
satisfied with  them  joined  Drywood 
Church  of  Primitive  Baptists  in  Bour- 
bon County,  Kan.,  in  August,  1876.  He 
was  ordained  February  10,  1883,  and 
has  served  a  part  of  the  time  since  as 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


135 


pastor  of  churches,  but  prefers  to  be 
free  and  visit  destitute  places.  This 
brief   sketch    of   Elder    Hoggatt   from 


R.   M.   HOGGATT 


Elder    Cash's    book    and    for    want    of 
later    information    is    inserted. 


J.   D.    HOLLIS. 

Hollis,  Elder  J.  D.,  of  Oklahoma, 
was  born  in  Troup  County,  Georgia, 
October  11,  1S54;  moved  with  his  pa- 
rents to  Texas  in  1857;  was  married 
to  Sophronia  Wood  November  3,  1878, 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church,  Mt.  Pisgah,  in  Hopkins  Coun- 
ty, Texas,  in  October,  1881;  baptized 
by  Elder  William  Caudle;  ordained  to 
the  ministry  in  1882  by  Elders  John 
Owen,  and  W.  W.  Slaughter.  He  was  a 
gifted  minister,  and  after  a  life  of 
usefulness  and  faithful  service  died 
October,  1907. 


R.    V.    HOLLEMAN. 

Holleman,  Elder  R.  V.,  of  Wealthy, 
Texas.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  at  Oak  Flat,  in  Rush  County, 
Texas,  August,  28,  1874,  moved  with 
his  parents  to  Leon  County,  in  1884, 
raised  on  a  farm  with  but  few  advant- 
ages of  an  education,  but  by  study 
and  close  application  acquired  con- 
siderable information  and  business 
education,  and  is  at  present  postmast- 
er at  his  home  town  and  also  conduct- 


ing a  mercantile  business.  Elder 
Holleman  was  convicted  of  sin  when 
about  fifteen  years  of  age,  made  to 
cry  for  mercy  and  plead  the  publi- 
can's prayer — ."Lord  be  merciful  to 
me  a  sinner,"  was  given  a  sweet  and 
abiding  hope  in  Jesus,  united  with 
Union  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in 
October,  1894,  and  baptized  by  Elder 
J.  C.  Denton.  In  1901  he  was  licensed 
to  preach,  was  in  the  constitution  of 


R.   V.   HOLLEMAN 

Mt.  Zion  Church  of  Wealthy,  Texas,  in 
1904,  and  was  the  following  year  or- 
dained to  the  gospel  ministry  by  Eld- 
ers J.  C.  Collier  and  H.  White.  Has 
since  been  serving  churches  and  now 
has  the  care  of  Shiloh,  Mt.  Zion  and 
Fellowship  churches.  December  15, 
1907,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eva  M. 
Gilbert — a  loyal  member  of  the 
church   with  her  husband, 


ZEBULON    HOLLIDAY. 

Holliday,  Elder  Zebulon,  of  Thurs- 
ton, O.,  was  born  in  Ohio  on  the  22nd 
of  February,,  1839,  joined  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Church  in  1S76,  and  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry 
in  1884.  This  brief  notice  is  from  Eld- 
er Potter's  book  published  is  1895. 
The  editor  regrets  that  data  for  a  full 
sketch  could  not  be  secured. 


LONNIE    HOLLOWAY. 

Holloway,  Elder  Lonnie,  of  Gray- 
mont,  Ga.  This  brother  is  perhaps  the 
youngest  minister  among  our  people 
today.  Born  Januay  13,  1890,  began 
preaching  when  eighteen,  and  was  or- 


136 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


dained  by  Rcsemary  Church  Novem- 
ber 7,  1908,  the  following  ministers 
officiating:  Elders  H.  Temple,  S.  M. 
Anderson  and  H.  B.  Wilkison.  Elder 
Holloway  was  raised  by  Baptist  pa- 
rents, convicted  of  sin  in  his  four- 
teenth year,  fled  to  the  law  for  justi- 
fication but  was  by  the  law  condemn- 
ed to  eternal  punishment,  and  that 
justly;  groped  in  darkness  and  was 
without  hope  until  Jesus  arose  with 
healings  in  His  wings,  became  his 
sin-bearer  and  he  was  by  faith,  en- 
abled to  trust  in  His  blood  and  plead 
His  righteousness.  He  was  also  given 
a  love  for  the  dear  old  church  but, 
for    several    months    lingered    around 


Baptist  Association.  He  is  also  Mod- 
erator of  this  association  and  is  high- 
ly esteemed  among  his  people. 


LONNIE    HOLLOWAY 

the  fold,  feeling  too  unworthy  to. enter 
therein.  But  in  August,  1905,  he  was 
received  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
Rosemary  Church  and  baptized  by 
Elder  H.  Temple.  Of  his  ministry  Eld- 
er Holloway  writes:  "I  feel  too  young 
and  unworthy  to  engage  in  the  sweet 
service  of  God,  but  how  glad  I  feel 
and  how  I  desire  to  thank  and  adore 
the  name  of  the  Lord,  for  His  mercies 
to  poor  me.  I  am  now,  not  quite  nine- 
teen years  old,  and  oh,  how  I  desire 
that  God's  people  will  pray  for  me. 
^h,  may  I  though  young,  honor  the 
high   profession   of   God   our    Saviour.' 


WM.     HOLLINGSWORTH. 

Hollingsworth,  Elder  Wm.,  of  Whig- 
ham,  Ga.  This  faithful  under-shepherd 
has  the  care  of  Tired  Creek,  Pisgah, 
Piedmont    and      Trinity      churches    in 


J.  W.   HOLMAN. 

Holman,  Elder  J.  W.,  of  Tennessee, 
was  born  March  1,  1812,  professed  a 
hope  in  Christ  when  very  young, 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
of  Jesus  Christ  at  Mt.  Moriah  in 
May,  1826,  and  remained  firm  in  the 
faith  throughout  his  long  and  useful 
life.  He  was  an  humble  and  beloved 
member  of  the  church  near  sixty-six 
years,  during  which  time  several  doc- 
trinal troubles  arose  that  gave  much 
distress,  but  none  of  these  new  things 
moved  him;  he  remained  unshaken. 
Freewillism,  Campbellism,  Missionism 
and  Two-seedism  all  had  their  rise 
during  his  life  in  the  church;  but  all 
alike  failed  to  move  him  from  his  first 
love.  Elder  Holman  was  in  the  minis- 
try over  fifty  years  and  served  as 
Moderator  of  Elk  River  Association 
over  twenty  years.  He  ranked  among 
the  ablest  ministers  of  Middle  Ten- 
nessee. His  great  theme,  upcn  which 
he  loved  to  dwell,  was  salvation  by 
free  and  unmerited  grace,  bestowed 
on  poor  sinners  of  Adam's  race — and 
thus  a  sinner  saved  by  grace.  His 
long  and  faithful  ministry  endeared 
him  to  his  many  brethren  so  greatly 
that  they  will  long  cherish  his  mem- 
ory. He  was  respectful  and  courteous 
towards  those  from  whom  he  differed, 
yet  firm  and  uncompromising  in  the 
defense  or  support  of  the  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  As  a  minister 
his  labors  were  wondelfully  blessed 
to  the  comfort  of  God's  children.  As 
a  husband  he  was  devoted  and  con- 
fiding, providing  for  the  comforts  of 
this  life  bountifully,  a  kind  and  in- 
dulgent father,  good  neighbor,  and 
loyal  citizen.  He  died  February  21, 
1892.  

SAMUEL   HOLT. 

Holt,  Elder  Samuel,  of  North  Caro- 
lina, was  born  1807,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  Yopp's  Church 
Onslow  County;  was  received  by  let- 
ter in  full  fellowship  in  Southwest 
Church  and  there  remained  until  his 
death.  Information  relative  to  his  life 
and  labors  could  not  be  obtained. 


LEWIS    HON. 

Hon,  Elder  Lewis,  of  Illinois  was 
born  in  Bowman's  Bend,  White  Coun- 
ty, 111.,   1828,   and  his  entire  life  was 


the  bounds  of  the  original  Flint  River   :    spent  in  the  vicinity  of  his  birthplace. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


131 


The  Hods  moved  to  Illinois  in  1812, 
six  years  before  the  state  was  admit- 
ted to  the  union.  The  parents  of  Eld- 
er Hon  began  life  under  the  many 
ditticulties  tnat  beset  the  people  of 
limited  means  in  those  days,  and  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  had  but  little 
opportunity  to  acquire  an  education. 
In  those  days  hard  work  occupied  a 
large  portion  of  a  boy's  life  and  the 
boys  in  the  Hon  family  were  no  ex- 
ception.      Consequently     Elder     Hon 


....  :.m\?: 


LEWIS    HON 


grew  to  rugged  manhood,  with  an  ed- 
ucation gained  chiefly  by  experience 
and  brief  periods  at  the  primitive 
schools  of  those  days.  He  was  married 
four  times.  His  first  wife  was  Miss 
Lucinda  Heart,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried in  1847.  They  became  the  pa- 
rents of  two  children.  After  a  few 
years  death  dissolved  this  union,  and 
in  1854  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
Hunsinger.  Fourteen  children  blessed 
this  union.  But  death  claimed  her, 
and  some  years  afterward  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Sarah 
Ralls,  who  lived  to  bless  his  home  and 
comfort  his  life  until  1904.  His  last 
marriage,  to  Mrs,  Mary  Poole,  of  In- 
diana, took  place  in  May,  1905.  Again 
his  home  was  honored  with  a  devoted 
Christian  helpmate  who  served  him 
most  tenderly  and  faithfully,  until  he 
gently  fell  asleep  at  their  beautiful 
home  in  Crossville,  111.,  April  17,  1908, 
at  the  ripe  old  age  of  seventy-nine. 
Father  Hon  received  a  sweet  assur- 
ance of  the  forgiveness  of  sins  about 
sixty  years  ago,  and  soon  after  joined 
the  Little  Wabash  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  where  he  remained  faithful 
till  death.  He  was  ordained  July,  1870, 
which  exalted  position  he  filled  with 
credit    to    himself    and    honor    to    the 


cause  he  loved  and  the  God  who  call- 
ed him,  for  almost  half  a  century.  He 
was  a  man  of  strong  convictions,  be- 
ing uncompromising  in  defending  the 
doctrine  of  his  church,  yet  kind  and 
gentle  with  all  who  opposed  him.  He 
was  ever  at  his  post,  not  only  in  re- 
ligious revivals,  but  in  the  times  of 
declination  as  well.  But  few  men  have 
traveled  and  preached  so  much  with 
as  little  financial  reward.  In  fact  he 
contributed  much  more  to  the  cause 
than  he  ever  received.  He  was  modera- 
tor of  the  Skillet  Fork  Association 
for  many  years — till  failing  health 
prevented,  and  was  pastor  of  his  home 
church  at  the  time  of  his  death.  Of 
his  ten  children  which  grew  to  man- 
hood and  womanhood,  he  baptized 
nine,  and  had  the  assurance  that  the 
other  one  is  a  subject  of  God's  cov- 
enant love  and  a  firm  believer  in  the 
doctrine  his  father  preached. 


D.    HOPPER. 

Hopper,  Elder  D.,  of  Jackson,  Tenn., 
was  born  February  4,  1852,  reared 
under  the  influence  of  the  new  school 
or  Missionary  Baptists;  obtained  a 
hope  in  Christ  in  1869  and  united  with 
the  Missionaries  soon  after  and  was 
ordained  by  them  1877.  For  twenty 
years  he  labored  among  these  people, 
trying  to  teach  them  the  sure  salva- 
tion of  God's  elect,  even  without  mis- 
sionary plans  of  man's  devising,  at 
the  same  time  learning  more  and 
more  of  the  history  of  their  church, 
and  becoming  more  and  more  opposed 
to  many  of  its  unscriptural  practices, 
until  he  boldly  and  alone,  openly  op- 
posed in  their  association,  the  plans  of 
their    missionarv    board.    But    in    vain 


138 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


did  he  plead  with  his  brethren  to  give 
up  their  unscriptural  doctrine  and 
practice;  and  following  the  scriptural 
injunction,  he  came  out  from  among 
them,  and  united  with  the  Primitive, 
or  Old  School  Baptist  in  1903  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  J.  L.  Butler.  The 
baptizing  occurred  about  10  o'clock  a. 
m.,  he  was  ordained  at  11  a.  m.  and 
preached  at  11:30  a.  m.  to  a  large  con- 
course of  people.  It  was  a  struggle  to 
leave  a  people  he  had  so  long  been 
with,  who  had  nothing  against  him, 
and  he  nothing  against  them,  only  the 
doctrine  and  practice  of  God's  word 
dividing  them.  He,  like  Moses,  was 
enabled  to  choose  to  suffer  affliction 
with  the  people  of  God.  Elder  Hopper 
has,  since  coming  among  us,  been 
serving  churches;  is  an  able  preacher 
and   fluent  writer. 


JOHN    W.    HOPPER. 

Hopper,  Eider  John  W.,  of  Washing- 
ton C.  H,  Ohio,  was  born  in  Fay- 
ette County,  November  26,  1848;  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Rebecca  J.  Waddle, 
April,  1871,  with  whom  he  lived  hap- 
pily for  eight  years  when  she  died, 
and  he  was,  November,  1880,  married 
to  Miss  Ann  Waddle.  His  wives  were 
sisters  and  both  members  of  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church.  Elder  Hop- 
pes  united  with  Paint  Creek 
Church,  December,  1877,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Wal- 
ter Yoeman.  In  1879  he  was 
licensed,  and  May  21,  1881,  was  or- 
dained by  Elders  Tunis  Ashbrook, 
Coiwin  Reed  and  Walter  Yoeman  and 
has  since  had  the  care  of  churches 
until  about  three  years  ago  when  on 
account  of  ill  health,  he  declined  serv- 


ing as  regular  pastor,  but  travels 
among  the  churches.  He  has  served 
as  Moderator  of  the  Scioto  Associa- 
tion and  is  well  and  favorably  known 
among  the  Baptists  of  his  country. 
In  his  young  days  Elder  Hoppes 
taught  school,  but  since  has  followed 
farming  as  a  worldly  profession  and 
has  been  very  successful,  owning  now 
about  eleven  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  his  native  county.  When  asked 
why  he  was  so  successful  financially 
he  has  often  said  he  attributed  it  to 
the  blessings  of  God  and  to  being  obe- 
dient to  the  Master  in  faithfully  and 
freely  serving  the  churches  for  the 
past  twenty  years. 


A.    HORNER. 

Horenr,  Elder  A.,  of  Waterloo,  Ore., 
was  born  in  Barry  County,  Mo.,  De- 
cember    6,   1858.     After     his  father's 

death  in  1865,  he  with  his  mother, 
moved  to  Oregon  and  settled  near 
Oregon  City.  November  21,  1878,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  D.  Sav- 
age. In  1881  he  was  convicted  Of  sin 
and  after  about  three  long  years  of 
darkness  and  thunderings  of  Mt. 
Siani's  law  he  was  given  a  hope  in 
Jesus  as  the  end  of  the  law  for  right- 
eousness. Being  in  correspondence 
with  Elder  George  Mayfield  he  travel- 
ed, by  private  conveyance,  seventy 
miles  to  meet  with  Pleasant  Grove 
Church,  offered  himself  for  member- 
ship, was  received  and  baptized  by 
Elder  James  A.  Bullock  May,  1S84.  In 
August,  1897,  he  was  ordained  to  tht; 
full  work  of  the  ministry  and  has 
since  been  preaching  Jesus,  the  way, 
the  truth  and  the  life. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


139 


ASA    HOWARD. 

Howard,  Elder  Asa,  of  Weatherford, 
Texas.  Not  being  able  to  secure  later 
information  of  Elder  Howard,  the  ed- 
itor quotes  the  following  from  Elder 
Cash's  book  published  in  1896:  "Elder 
Howard,  was  born  in  Springfield,  Mo., 
February  28,  1846,  and  joined  Clear 
Creek  Church,  near  Weatherford, 
Texas,  in  July,  1865.  He  was  ordained 
in  July,  1869,  and  has  devoted  much 
of  his  time  to  preaching  the  gcspel." 


DAVID  HOUSE. 

House,  Elder,  David,  (1816-1894). 
This  gifted  preacher  was  born  in  Pitt 
County,  N.  C.  He  was  the  son  of 
John  and  Nicey  House  and  grew  up  a 
very  quiet  and  moral  boy,  suffered 
much  under  the  conviction  of  sin  and 
was  delivered  from  his  burden  of  sin 
and  condemnation  at  his  plow  while  at 
work  in  the  field.  His  deliverance  was 
very  bright,  and  his  faith  in  God  was 
strong  and  of  an  unfaltering  nature, 
all  the  days  of  his  life  afterwards.  He 
was  received  for  baptism,  1847,  to 
the  church  at  Great  Swamp  and 
was  licensed  during  the  year  to 
the  exercises  of  his  gift,  and  in 
November,  1853,  was  ordained  to 
the  full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry 
by  a  presbytery  consisting  of  Elders 
John  H.  Daniel  and  Lanier  Griffin.  He 
was  a  zealous  and  faithful  minister  of 
the  gospel  and  during  his  life  traveled 
as  many  miles,  and  preached  as  much 
for  the  churches  in  his  own  country 


about  home  as  any  that  can  be  found, 
as  well  as  serving  his  own  church  in  a 
faithful  and  acceptable  manner.  The 
churches  that  he  served,  although  not 
blessed  with  as  great  ingatherings  as. 
some,  were  blessed  with  sweet  seasons 
of  peace  and  harmony  under  his  serv- 
ice, no  doubt  due  in  a  great  degree  to 
his  sound  and  able  ministry  and  wise 
counsel  and  exhortation  which  he  gave 
them,  coupled  with  the  bright  example 
which  he  set  before  them,  for  he  was 
a  living  epistle  of  Christ  known  and 
read  of  all  men  and  even  those  who  did 
not  believe  the  doctrine  he  preached 
were  constrained  to  say  he  lived  his 
religion. 


JOHN   C.    HUBBARD. 

Hubbard,  Elder  John  C-,  was  one  of 
God's  faithful  servants  who  has  cross- 
ed over  the  river  to  join  the  saints  of 
God  on  the  other  shore.  He  was  born 
in  Southern  Virginia,  January  16, 
1824,  and  united  with  the  church  Au- 
gust, 1846,  and  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry  September, 
1850.  Feeling  that  he  was  called  to- 
labor  in  another  field,  he  and  his 
wife  called  for  letters  from  Jacks 
Creek  Church  at  their  Septembei 
meeting  1852,  and  soon  after 
moved  to  West  Virginia.  The 
next  year — 1853 — he  was  made  Moder- 
ator of  the  Indian  Creek  Association 
which  place  he  filled  with  satis- 
faction until  1901  when  owing  to  his 
afflictions  he  could  not  attend.  He  la- 
bored much  among  the  churches  and 
had  the  care  of  several,  and  still  was 
retained  as  pastor  of  Flat  Woods  and 
New  River  churches  until  his  death. 
He  traveled  much  through  cold  and 
neat,  storm  and  calm  to  declare  the 
watchman  and  hesitated  not  to  give 
the  alarm  when  he  saw  the  wolf  com- 
ing. He  was  a  tender  and  loving  shep- 
herd, yet  faithful  and  true,  and  had 
no  fellowship  for  the  unfruitful  works 
of  darkness,  yet  his  manner  of  preach- 
ing was  such  none  could  say  it  was 
not  true,  and  all  lovers  of  truth  loved 
to  hear  him.  He  used  no  rough  expres- 
sions about  those  who  differed  from 
him,  but  simply  preached  the  word, 
reproved,  rebuked  with  all  long  suf- 
fering and  doctrine;  in  almost  every 
sermon  telling  his  little  flock  how 
they  ought  to  live  and  walk  as  chil- 
dren of  God.  He  wanted  to  see  all 
who  professed  the  name  of  Christ 
adorn  that  profession  by  a  godly  walk. 


140 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


WM.  HUBBARD. 

Hubbard,  Elder  Wm.  was  born  in 
South  Carolina  on  the  22d  day  of  April, 
1809.  His  parents,  John  and  Mary 
Hubbard,  moved  to  Hall  County,  Ga., 
in  1818,  taking  him  with  them,  then  a 
boy  nine  years  of  age.  He  joined 
the  church  called  Liberty  in  Lumpkin 
County,  Ga.,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
James  Whitten,  June,  1831,  and  soon 
after  was  ordained  to  the  ministry. 
At  the  time  Elder  Hubbard  was  or- 
dained there  were  no  so  called  'Mis- 
sionary Baptists,  but  shortly  after- 
wards the  great  question  of  foreign 
missions  and  the  institutions  of  the 
day  sprang  up  to  the  dividing  of  the 
Baptist  denomination.  And  in  this, 
question  which  threatened  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  church,  he  took  the  side 
of  the  Primitive  Church,  and  main- 
tained it  until  death.  In  this  great 
controversy  public  sentiment  and  pre- 
judice ran  so  high  that  he  was  threat- 
ened by  a  mob;  and  on  one  occasion, 
when  threatened  at  Valley  Grove 
Church,  in  Murray  County,  a  company 
of  young  men  rode  up  by  him,  when  he 
was  nearing  the  church,  with  clubs  in 
their  hands,  and  saluted  him  very  po- 
litely. They  rode  along  together  on 
horseback  and  when  they  arrived  at 
the  church,  he  hitched  his  horse,  and 
the  young  men  hitched  theirs  close  by 
his,  and  all  went  into  the  church  to- 
gether, he  taking  the  stand,  and  the 
young  men  taking  seats  near  by.  After 
services,  a  conference  was  held  in 
which  was  considerable  confusion  and 
discussion  on  the  mooted  question  of 
missions.  After  conference  the 
meeting  adjourned,  and  he  and  the 
young  men  who  sat  by  so  attentively 
rode  away.  Upon  inquiry  it  was  as- 
certained that  these  young  men  had 
heard  that  certain  citizens,  and  per- 
haps some  members  of  the  church, 
who  were  favorable  to  the  Arminian 
cause,  intended  to  mob  him,  and  his 
opinion  was  the  Lord  put  it  into  the 
hearts  and  minds  of  these  young  men 
to  protect  him.  This,  however,  was 
unknown  to  him  until  after  it  had 
happened.  Though  an  uneducated  man. 
Elder  Hubbard  was  one  of  God's  min- 
isters. He  preached  fifty-three  years 
in  the  Primitive  Baptist  ranks  without 
a  charge  against  him  so  far  as  known 
by  the  writer,  and  having  been  called 
upon  to  fill  the  highest  positions  within 
the  gift  of  the  churches.  He  was  Mod- 
erator of  several  Associations  during 
his  ministerial  career  including  the 
Lpatoie,  Harmony  and  Flint  River. 


J.    D.    HUBBELL. 


Hubbell,  Elder  J.  D.,  of  Kelly's  Cor- 
ner, N.  Y.  The  following  is  some  quo- 
tations from  Hubbell's  life  work  kept 
and  written  by  himself:  "I  was  born 
July  S,  1S3G,  if  the  family  record  be 
true,  which  I  do  not  doubt.  When 
near  two  years  old  I  was  attacked 
with  brain  fever  and  came  so  near  the 
end  of  my  days,  in  the  sight  of  my 
parents  and  physicians,  that  my  grave 
clothes  were  partially  prepared  but 
as  my  days  were  not  all  then  num- 
bered, I  was  restored  to  health  al- 
though my  sickness  was  of  a  nature 
as  to  change  the  shape  of  my  head 
which  is  a  little  deformed  yet,  al- 
though I  have  great  reason  for  grati- 
tude to  my  Creator  for  allotting  me  a 
reasonable  degree  of  earthly  wisdom. 
My  Summer  school  education  was  fin- 
ished when  about  twelve  years  old 
and  my  school  going  finished  alto- 
gether when  about  nineteen  years  of 
age.  In  the  year  1855  I  discovered  my 
helplessness  and  lost  condition  as  a 
sinner,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  1858 
having  received  a  hope,  I  united  with 
the  second  Old  School  Baptist  Church 
of  Roxbury  in  1859  of  which  I  am  now 
a  member.  Shortly  after  I  received  a 
hope  I  was  impressed  or  inspired  -with 
the  duty  of  preaching  the  gospel  and 
after  a  while  was  licensed  to  preach. 
While  a  licentiate  I  traveled  many 
thousand  miles  over  the  country  at- 
tending funerals  and  trying  in  my 
weak  way  to  feed  some  of  the  scat- 
tered flock.  On  September  13,  1872,  I 
was  set  apart  by  solemn  ordination  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  having  up 
to  this  time  attended  130  funerals, 
trying  to  comfort  the  broken  hearted 
and  having  baptized   seventeen."  Eld- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


141 


er  Hubbell  was  one  of  the  most  pop- 
ular and  well  known  ministers  in  Del- 
aware County,  and  being  well  known 
along  the  line  of  the  Ulster  &  Dela- 
ware R.  R.,  Greene  and  Schohaire 
Counties,  having  traveled  over  the 
counties  at  all  times,  day  and  night, 
through  sunshine  and  stormy  weather, 
prone  to  obey  the  will  of  his  Master. 
Having  officiated  at  517  funerals, 
scores  of  baptisms  and  over  200  wed- 
dings, goes  to  show  the  high  esteem 
and  popularity  in  which  he  was  held 
by  the  community  in  which  he  has 
always  lived.  To  his  enemies,  while 
they  be  few  if  any,  he  applied  the 
golden  rule,  and  thus  left  them  to  their 
own   reflections. 


W.  P.   HUDSON. 

Hudson,  Elder  W.  P.,  of  Arkansas, 
was  born  in  Dickson  County,  Tenn., 
May  2,  1852;  moved  to  Texas  in  1868, 
and  the  following  year  to  Washington 
County,  Ark.,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided. He  was,  in  his  seventeenth 
year,  convicted  of  sin,  and  after  much 
soul  sorrow,  doubts  and  fears  was 
given  a  hope  in  the  Saviour  and  unit- 
ed with  the  Primitive  Baptists.  He 
was  soon  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
preaching  Jesus  to  others  and  was 
ordained  at  Bethlehem  Church  in  1886, 
by  Elders  J.  S.  Cowan,  R.  M.  Wood 
and  J.  R.  Bolinger,  since  which  time 
he  has  endeavored  to  give  his  best 
service  to  the  cause,  and  can  truly 
say: 

"I  love  Thy  kingdom,  Lord; 

The  house  of  Thine  abode: 
The  church  our  blest  Redeemer  saved 

With  His  own  precious  blood." 


E.  P.  HUDSON. 

Hudson,  Elder  E.  P.,  of  North  Caro- 
lina, was  born  June  27,  1822,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Juniper  Bay,  at  which 
place  he  was  reared,  and  continued  to 
live  till  a  few  years  past,  when  he 
moved  to  the  north  side  of  Mattamus- 
keet  Lake.  He  was  said  to  be  a  very 
wild,  bad  boy,  and  remained  so  during 
the  early  part  of  manhood,  desecrating 
the  Sabbath  by  fishing  and  hunting 
with  gun  and  dogs,  paying  no  respect 
to  religious  worship,  until  the  Lord 
in  his  mercy  killed  in  him  the  love  of 
the  sports  of  the  world  by  his  Spirit 
and  caused  him  to  cry  unto  him  for 
mercy,  which  he  was  pleased  to  grant 
him  by  clothing  him  with  his  imputed 
righteousness,  which  caused  him  ever 
afterwards  to  have  no  confidence  in 
the  works  of  the  flesh,  but  to  give  all 
honor  and  glory  to  the  works  of  the 
Spirit.  He  joined  the  church  at  North 
Lake,  1876,  was  baptized  by  Elder  Al- 
bert Cartwright,  some  time  after  which 
he  felt  to  be  called  by  his  divine  Mas- 
ter to  preach  the  unsearchable  riches 
of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  Thus  we  see 
that  the  Lord  is  able  to  tame  the  wild- 
est and  most  profane  of  his  people  by 
the  inward  working  of  his  Holy  Spirit. 


THOMAS  HUDSON. 

Hudson,  Elder  Thomas  was  born 
April  20,  1859,  and  died  at  his  home  in 
Allegheny  County,  N.  C,  July  3,  1880. 
He  united  with  the  church  in  his 
seventeenth  year,  was  licensed  to 
preach  in  his  nineteenth  year,  and  died 
in  his  twenty-second  year  of  age.  His 
was  a  short  service  in  the  Masters' 
vineyard  but  noted  for  loyalty  and 
zeal. 


JOEL   HUME. 

Hume,  Elder  Joel,  of  Owensville, 
Ind.,  was  born  in  Kentucky  on  the  13tb 
day  of  June,  1807,  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  in  1831,  and  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in 
1836.  He  served  five  churches  for  a 
time,  and  was  pastor  of  one  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of  extra- 
ordinary natural  ability  a  very  impres- 
sive speaker  and  wonderful  force  of 
character.  In  the  prime  of  his  life, 
his  preaching  was  mostly  on  the  de- 
fensive style,  yet  he  baptized  a  great 
many.  He  engaged  in  several  oral 
debates,  two  of  which  were  published. 
He  moved  to  Indiana  early  in  life,  and 


142 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


soon  after  located  in  Posey  County, 
and  most  of  his  time  for  the  last  fifty 
years  of  his  life,  was  spent  in  laboring 
for  the  cause  of  Christ  among  the 
■churches  composing  Salem  Association 
and  for  more  than  forty  years  he 
served  as  Moderator  for  the  Associa- 
tion. He  was  an  able  minister,  an  hon- 
est, sincere,  uncompromising  soldier 
of  the  Cross,  walking  in  the  fellowship 
of  Christ  and  all  the  household  of 
faith,  and  who,  at  the  time  the  call 
came,  was  truly  as  the  shock  of  corn, 
fully  ripe  and  ready  for  the  Master's 
use  and  who  without  doubt  is  now  with 
the  Lord,  resting  from  all  his  labors. 
He  died  March  29,  1891,  in  the  eighty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age. 


CYRUS    HUMPHREY. 

Humphrey,  Elder  Cyrus.  This  es- 
teemed brother  was  born  in  Ohio  in 
1822  and  died  1892.  He  was  married 
in  1844  to  Miss  Henrietta  Baughman. 
They  raised  a  family  of  ten  children. 
Elder  Humphrey  was  a  faithful  pas- 
tor and  served  churches  until  his 
death,  and  the  editor  regrets  that  he 
cannot  obtain  sufficient  data  for  an 
extended  notice  of  his  life  and  labors. 


S.  H.  HUMPHREY. 

Humphrey,  Elder  S.  H.,  of  Gales- 
burg,  Ills.,  son  of  the  late  Elder  Cy- 
rus Humphrey,  was  born  near  Asto- 
ria, Fulton  County,  Ills.,  1850.  In  the 
Spring  of  1864  he  became  concerned 
about  his  future  but  did  not  realize 
what  was  the  trouble  until  about  six 
months  later,  when  he  was  brought  to 
realize  that  he  was  condemned  before 
God.  In  1866  he  felt  the  forgiveness 
of  sins  and  was  made  to  rejoice  in 
hope  of  eternal  life.  Almost  simulta- 
neous in  the  reception  of  that  hope 
came  impressions  to  tell  how  great 
things  the  Lord  had  done  for  him, 
and  to  publish  the  name  of  Jesus 
abroad.  He  united  with  the  Friend- 
ship Church  of  Old  School  Baptists 
1S68,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  A. 
Goforth  and  soon  after  began  to  exer- 
cise in  public.  He  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry 
1884,  and  has  had  the  care  of  from 
three  to  five  churches  for  about  forty 
years.  In  the  last  fifteen  years  he  has 
traveled  about  2,500  miles  each  year 
in  the  interest  of  the  churches,  and 
his  services  have  been  blessed  of!  the 
Lord  to  the  building  up  of  the  broken 
walls  of  Zion. 


GEO.    W.    HUNDLY. 

Hundly,  Elder  Geo.  W.,  of  Swansville 
Va.,  was  born  in  Pittsylvania  County, 
Va.,  February  5,  1847.  In  childhood  he 
had  thoughts  of  death  and  eternity  and 
early  in  life  was  convicted  of  sin, 
received  a  hope  in  Jesus  when  about 
nineteen  years  old  and  joined  the  Mis- 
sionary Baptist  Church.  Soon  became 
dissatisfied  with  them  and  in  1872 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptists.  He  had 
impressions  to  preach  before  he  left 
the  Missionaries  but  could  not  feel  to 
endorse  or  preach  the  doctrine  they 
advocated.  He  was  ordaind  by  the 
Primitive  Baptists  about  the  year  1874 
and  has  served  from  two  to  five 
churches.  He  is  a  faithful  pastor  and 
serves  the  flock  not  for  the  fleece,  but 
for  the  love  he  has  for  them. 


JEREMIAH     HUNSINGER. 

Hunsinger,  Elder  Jeremiah,  cf  Car- 
mi,  Ills.,  was  born  in  White  County, 
Ills.,  on  the  10th  day  of  September, 
1S36,  and  joined  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Chruch  in  1865,  and  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  1888. 
This  notice  of  Elder  Hunsinger  is 
from  Elder  Potter's  book  of  1895.  The 
editor's  efforts  to  obtain  further  in- 
formation proved  fruitless. 


M.  F.  HURST. 

Hurst,  Elder  M.  F.,  of  Georgia,  was 
born  in  1841,  and  died,  1902.  He  was 
the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Hurst, 
and  the  youngest  of  thirteen  children. 
He  served  in  the  Confederate  war, 
and  while  there  was  enabled  to  see  and 
feel  that  he  was  a  sinner,  condemned 
by  God's  holy  law,  and  felt  that  he  was 
doomed  to  eternal  woe  and  misery. 
While  he  was  prostrate  on  a  bed  of 
affliction,  and  while  friends  stood 
around  him  expecting  to  see  him 
breathe  his  last,  Jesus  was  revealed 
to  him  as  his  Saviour,  the  "chiefest 
among  ten  thousand  and  altogether 
lovely."  He  then  revived  and  rejoiced 
and  told  his  friends  he  was  not  going 
to  die  now,  but  would  live  to  tell  of  the 
riches  of  God's  grace  in  saving  sinners 
from  eternal  ruin  through  the  merits 
of  God's  dear  Son.  In  1864  he  was 
baptized  by  Elder  W.  M.  Mitchell,  and 
was  in  1877,  ordained  to  the  ministry. 
From  then  till  the  very  day  of  his  death 
he  proclaimed  salvation  by  grace,  and 
grace    alone,    through    the    merits    of 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


143 


Christ.  He  was  sound  in  faith  and  or- 
derly in  practice,  ever  exhorting  and 
admonishing  to  practical  godliness,  to 
love,  and  to  good  works. 


stu- 

fair- 

the 


J.  C.   HURST. 

Hurst,  Elder  J.  C.  (M.  D.),  of  Roan- 
oke, Va.,  and  brother  of  Sana  N.  Hurst, 
was  born  September  12,  18G4,  in  a  rur- 
al district  of  Pulaski  County,  Va.,  and 
was  the  seventh  child  of  Allen  and 
Nancy  Hurst.  He  was  of  a 
dious  nature  and  acquired  a 
ly  liberal  education  and  at 
age  of  nineteen  began  the  study 
of  medicine  and  graduated  at  the 
age  of  twenty-one  years  with  honor, 
receiving  a  gold  medal  for  general 
proficiency  out  of  a  graduating  class 
of  several  hundred,  by  the  college  fac- 
ulty. He  was  appointed  resident  phys- 
ician to  Maternity  Hospital,  Baltimore, 
but  decilned  to  accept,  preferring  ac- 
tive outdoor  practice.  In  his  practice, 
in  which  he  was  very  successful,  he 
mingled  with  various  denominations 
among  which  were  some  Old  School 
Baptists,  but  he  had  no  love  for  them, 
and  was  disposed  to  ridicule  their  ex- 
perimental religion.  On  one  occasion 
he  heard  an  Old  School  Baptist  tell  his 
experience.  He  noted  down  what  he 
said  and  wrote  a  thesis  on  it  as  a  form 

of  insanity  which  was  published  in  a 
medical  journal.  From  the  medical 
profession  he  received  a  number  of 
private  letters  commending  his  article, 
which  to  him  was  well  pleasing.  But 
God  had  a  work  for  him  to  do,  and  like 

Paul  he  was  made  to  preach  to  the 
pec  pie  he  did  not  love,  and  contend  for 

the  experiences  that  he  once  pub- 
lished as  a  species  of  insanity.     After 


deep  conviction  for  sin  and  a  seeking 
of  rest  under  the  law  he  was  given  a 
sweet  hope  in  Jesus,  went  before 
Bethel  Church  one  cold  day  in  January, 
1895,  asked  for  a  home,  was  received 
and  baptized  by  Elder  Isaac  Webb. 
About  one  year  after  this  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry  by  Elders  Webb, 
Lester  Wilson,  Hurst  and  Reid  and 
baptized  two  into  the  fellowship  of 
Bethel  Church  the  same  day.  Elder 
Hurst,  though  practicing  his  profession 
to  some  extent  all  the  time  since  his 
ordination  has  served  Bethel,  Pil- 
grim's Rest,  Reid  Island  and  the 
church  at  Roanoke,  where  in  connec- 
tion with  his  brother,  Sam  N.  Hurst, 
services  are  held  every  Sunday.  He  is 
both  a  defender  of  the  doctrine  of  his 
Lord  and  Master  and  a  feeder  of  the 
sheep  of  His  pasture,  and  his  labors 
have  been  blessed  to  the  comfort 
of  many. 


WM   R.  HURST. 

Hurst,  Elder  Wm.  R.,  of  Georgia,  son 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  Hurst,  was  born 
1820  and  died  1861,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists,  at  Harris  Springs 
Newton  County  September  1852,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Isaac  Hamby, 
and  was  soon  afterward  ordained  to 
the  eospel  ministry.  A  full  sketch  of 
his  life  could  not  be  obtained  by  the 
editor. 


WM.   HUSSEY. 

Hussey,  Elder  Wm.  (1796-1875),  of 
South  Carolina,  convicted  of  sin  when 
about  twenty-five  years  of  age;  united 
with  the  church  in  1825  and  began 
his  ministry  the  following  year.  He 
was  in  the  division  of  the  Baptists  in 
his  early  ministry  and  remained  firm, 
contending  for  the  doctrine  and  prac- 
tice of  the  apostolic  church.  He  died 
in  the  full  triumphs  of  faith  at  a  ripe 
old  age,  and  the  editor  regrets  that 
a  full  sketch  of  his  labors  could  not 
be  given. 


RUFUS   HUTCHINS. 

Hutchins,  Elder  Rufus,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, after  a  brief  illness  died  1891, 
at  the  home  of  Brother  J.  H.  Boroughs 
of  North  Carolina,  while  on  a  preach- 
ing tour.  A  sketch  of  his  life 
could  not  be  obtained.  Elder  P. 
D.  Gold,  writes  in  Zion's  Land- 
mark, as  fellows,  relative  to  him: 
"How     sad     it     seems     to     us     that 


144 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


this  gifted  young  brother  should 
so  soon  be  called  away.  But  his  work 
is  done.  How  sad  too  it  appears  to  us 
that  he  should  be  called  to  die  away 
from  home.  But  he  died  in  the  har- 
ness at  his  post,  and  as  the  Lord,  who 
doeth  all  things  well,  appointed." 


PETER    HUTCHERSON. 

Hutcherson,  Elder  Peter  (1818- 
1899),  of  Stokes  County,  N.  C,  receiv- 
ed a  hope  in  Christ  1865,  received  in 
the  church  at  Buffalo  1873,  licensed  to 
preach  June,  1874,  and  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  February,  18S9. 
He  was  faithful  to  his  calling  as  long 
as  he  was  able  to  travel,  all  the  time 
having  an  orderly  walk  and  godly 
conversation,  speaking  evil  of  none, 
often  saying  if  he  could  not  speak 
well  of  a  person  he  had  rather  not 
speak  at  all.  He  was  a  faithful  wit- 
ness for  Jesus  and  died  in  the  full 
triumphs  of  faith. 


A,    D.    HUTCHISON. 

Hutchinson,  Elder  A.  D.,  of  Paris, 
Mo.,  was  born  in  Ralls  County,  Mo., 
March  17,  1841,  and  united  with  Bear 
Creek  Church,  near  Hannibal,  in 
April,  1863.  He  was  ordained  in  July, 
1894,  and  has  since  labored  as  joint 
pastor  in  some  of  the  churches  with 
Elder  J.  F.  Sutton.  This  brief  sketch 
is  from  the  pen  of  Elder  Walter  Cash, 
who  wrote  of  this  brother  in  1896. 


M.  H.  HUTCHISON. 

Hutchison,  Elder  M.  H.  was  born  in 
Jasper  County,  Ga.,  November  1,  1822, 
and  died  December  31,  1903.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  E.  Parker,  October  3,  1843, 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  church 
about  1850,  and  was  a  consistent  and 
faithful  minister.  He  moved  to  Co- 
manche, Texas,  in  1876,  and  lived  there 
until  his  death.  He  was  ordained  to 
the  ministry  and  preached  in  Coman- 
che, and  surrounding  counties  for  many 
years. 


JOHN   L.  HYLTON. 

Hylton,  Elder  John  L.,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, was  born  and  raised  in  Floyd 
County,  Va.,  and  professed  a  hope  in 
Christ  and  joined  the  church  at  West 
Fork,  Floyd  County,  Va.,  in  August, 
1865.  He  was  licensed  to  exercise  a 
gift  in  the  ministry  in  July,  1866,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  full  functions  of 
the  gospel  ministry  September,  1867, 
by  Elders  Thomas  L.  Roberson,  G.  L. 
Tuggle,  Wilson  H.  Dodd  and  Amos- 
Dickerson.  After  some  years  he  re- 
moved to  Franklin  County,  Va.,  and 
for  several  years  served  churches  in 
the  bounds  of  the  Pig  River  Associa- 
tion holding  his  membership  perhaps 
with  the  church  at  Minerva.  He  re- 
moved from  there  to  Montgomery 
County,  Va.,  and  then  to  the  state  of 
Indiana  and  finally  removed  to  Mon- 
roe County,  W.  Va.,  and  joined  the 
Indian  Creek  Church  of  Indian  Creek 
Association  by  letter,  January,  1889, 
where  he  remained  in  full  fellowship 
and  highly  esteemed  until  his  depart- 
ure from  this  life  which  took  place  on 
April  10,  1906.  Brother  Hylton  was  an 
humble  man  whose  walks  was  like 
his  preaching  and  work  in  the  ministry, 
sound  and  orderly.  He  loved  peace, 
sought  it  and  pursued  it.  He  was  a 
poor  man  as  to  the  goods  of  this  life 
but  was  rich  in  faith  exemplifying 
a  faithful  humble  zeal  with  holy  bold- 
ness. He  traveled  a  great  deal  and 
preached  as  he  went.  Much  of  the 
time  he  went  on  foot  as  his  Master  did. 
He  shared  much  of  the  afflictions  of 
this  life  but  he  murmured  not,  thus 
giving  us  to  feel  that  his  were  the 
afflictions  of  the  righteous  out  of  all 
of  which  the  Lord  delivered. 


WM.    HYMAN. 


Hyman,  Elder  Wm.,  was  a  most  re- 
markable   man    for    integrity,    candor 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


145 


and  popularity  among  ail  classes  of 
people,  and  his  decease  ended  the  line 
of  worthies  who  had  fought  the  great 
battle  with  the  "Missionaries"  and 
gained  the  victory  by  creating  peace 
in  the  churches  and  drawing  the  line 
distinctly  between  Old  and  New 
School  Baptist.  He  opposed  to  the  last 
all  men-made  schemes  intended  to 
corrupt  the  gospel  of  Christ.  He  was 
chosen  Moderator  of  the  Kehukee 
Association  in  1828,  and  served  her 
in  that  capacity  until  1857,  with  per- 
haps the  exception  of  one  year,  mak- 
ing a  period  of  nearly  thirty  years. 
He  was  remarkably  efficient  as  Mod- 
erator and  his  parting  address  was  in- 
deed a  gem  of  pathos,  wisdom  and 
love.  After  a  life  of  great  usefulness 
he  died  in  1862.  It  can  be  truly  said 


of   him   that   he   fought    a   good    fight 
and   kept  the  faith. 


^   #*» 


WM.    HYMAN 


SOLOMAN     INMAN. 

In  man,  Elder  Soloman,  of  Coal- 
mount,  Ind.;  was  born  in  Martin 
County,  Ind.,  September  21,  1856; 
raised  by  religious  parents  who  were 
members  of  Salem  Primitive  Baptist 
Church;  had  serious  thoughts  about 
his-  soul's  salvation  when  a  boy  but 
felt  he  could,  at  any  time,  turn  to 
the  Lord  and  be  saved.  Therefore  he 
was  not  uneasy  about  himself.  But  in 
1873  the  Lord  opened  his  eyes  to  see 
his  helpless,  lost  condition.  He  was 
brought  very  low,  even  to  the  foot- 
stool of  mercy.  But  He  who  turned 
his  eyes  to  see  within  and  discover 
the  corruption  there  also  turned  his 
eyes  to  Christ  to  see  righteousness 
and  salvation  there.  In  1S75  he  united 
with  Salem  Church.  It  was  a  season 
or  rejoicing,  but  of  short  duration.  Soon 
the  burden  of  the  gospel  was  pressing 
him  down,  and  after  much  striving 
against  the  impression  to  preach  he 
was  made  willing,  was  ordained  in 
1894,  and  has  since  been  preaching 
Jesus  a  complete,  and  all-sufficient 
Saviour.     • 


JAMES  IRELAND. 

Ireland,  Eider  James,  was  born  in 
the  city  of  Edinburg  17'! S.  emigrated 
to  America  and  settled  in  Virginia  in 
early  life  when  he  was  wild,  reckless 
and  had  not  the  fear  of  God  before  his 


eyes.  But  God  who  is  rich  in  mercy 
had  determined  to  pluck  him  as  a 
brand  from  the  burning,  which  He  did, 
and  made  him  a  bright  and  shining 
light  in  His  church  and  used  him  for 
His  glory  and  the  good  of  His  people. 
After  deep  conviction  for  sin  he  was 
led  to  the  Cross  for  relief,  was  deliv- 
ered of  his  burden  and  soon  began  to 
publish  the  good  news  to  others.  Hav- 
ing been  educated  a  Presbyterian,  he 
was  not  easily  convicted  of  the  obliga- 
tion to  be  baptized.  But  when  he  was 
made  to  see  the  emblematic  teaching 
of  this  ordinance  and  the  example  of 
Christ  in  submitting  to  immersion  he 
renounced  sprinkling,  was  baptized 
by  Elder  Samuel  Harris  and  soon 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry. He  was  one  of  of  the  pio- 
neer preachers  of  Virginia,  and 
suffered  much  persecution  from 
the  established  church  under  the  Col- 
onial government;  was  put  in  jail  in 
Culpepper  for  preaching  the  gospel, 
and  while  thus  imp  isoned  his  enemies 
tried  to  suffocate  him  by  burning  brim- 
stone, etc.  He  states  he  might  speak 
of  a  hundred  instances  of  cruelty.  "I 
expected,'  he  says  in  his  writings,  "at 
every  court  to  be  brought  out  to  the 
whipping  post  before  the  gazing  multi- 
tude; I  sat  down  and  counted  the  cost, 
a'nd  believed,  through  Christ  strength- 
ening me,  I  could  suffer  all  things  for 
His  sake.  It  appeared  that  their  pow- 
er did  not  reach  so  far  or  it  would  have 
been  executed.    At  this  period,  I  receiv- 


146 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


ed  letters  from  ministers  of  our  persua- 
sion and  from  a  variety  of  churches 
with  whom  I  was  connected.  From 
these  churches  I  received  general  in- 
formation how  singularly,  letters  I 
wrote,  were,  under  God,  blessed  to 
the  conversion  of  numbers  who  were 
anxiously  led  to  inquire  into 
the  cause  for  which  I  suf- 
fered, as  well  as  the  grounds  of 
that  fortitude  which  bore  me  up  under 
these  sufferings.  My  prison,  then,  was 
a  place  in  which  I  enjoyed  much  of  the 
divine  presence;  a  day  seldom  passed 
without  some  signal  token  of  the  di- 
vine gcodness  towards  me,  which 
generally  led  me  to  subscribe  my 
letters  in  these  words,  "  'From  my 
palace  in  Culpepper.' "  As  a  speci- 
men of  the  letters  written  to  him 
a  few  of  the  closing  lines  of  one 
from  Elder  David  Thomas  will  not  be 
uninteresting:  "O  brother,  if  you  can, 
by  bearing  the  charming  lovely  Cross 
of  Jesus  Christ,  win  one  of  the  strong- 
est of  Satan's  strongholds  no  matter 
then  how  soon  you  die,  and  if  you  thus 
die  for  Him,  how  would  the  glorious 
armies  of  the  martyrs  above  shout  to 
see  Ireland  coming  from  a  prison  to 
reign  with  them  in  glory!"  Elder  Ire- 
land was  the  pastor  of  the  Baptist  con- 
gregations at  Buckmarsh,  Happy  Creek 
and   Water   Lick   and    other    churches 


in  Frederick  and  Shenandoah  Coun- 
ties, Va.  He  labored  ,  nearly  forty 
years  in  his  Lord's  vineyard,  and 
during  a  great  part  of  the  time, 
through  much  infirmity  of  body.  He 
was  always  distinguished  as  an  able 
minister  of  the  New  Testament,  right- 
ly dividing  the  word  of  truth,  giving 
to  saint  and  sinner  their  portion  in  due 
season.  During  his  last  illness,  which 
confined  him  to  his  bed  about  three 
months,  his  mind  was  tranquil  and 
serene.  Fully  sensible  of  his  approach- 
ing dissolution,  and  perfectly  resigned 
to  the  will  of  God,  he  endured  all 
things,  as  seeing  Him  who  is  invisible; 
and  having  an  eye  to  the  recompense 
of  reward,  patiently  waited  for  the 
manifestations  of  the  sons  of  God.  He 
died  May  5   1806. 


R.  J.   IVIE. 


Ivie,  Elder  R.  J.,  of  Arkansas,  was 
born  in  Virginia  1826,  ccnvicted  of  sin 
in  1840,  received  a  hope  in  Christ 
1852,  and  united  with  the  church  at 
Muddy  Fork,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Bowers.  He  was  ordained  in 
1885,  by  Elders  J.  F.  Johnston,  H.  M. 
Brazil,  J.  P.  Rogers  and  Z.  Wiseman, 
and  was  a  faithful  minister. 


J 


J.   C.   JACKSON. 

Jackson,  Elder  J.  C,  of  Alabama, 
was  born  1820  and  died  1898.  Reso- 
lutions adopted  by  his  home  church, 
Carmel,  July  16,  1898,  show  the  high 
esteem  in  which  he  was  held,  and  it 
is  regretted  that  a  full  sketch  of  his 
life  and  labors  could  not  be  obtained. 
He  was  a  zealous  worker  in  the  gos- 
pel vineyard,  a  good  neighbor  and 
model    citizen. 


JOHN     W.    JACKSON. 

Jackson,  Elder  John  W.,  of  Edge- 
combe County,  N.  C,  was  born  July 
10,  1835;  lost  his  parents  early  in 
life;  raised  by  his  grandfather;  was 
required  to  labor  hard  and  had  but 
three  months  schooling;  married  in 
1856  to  Miss  Salley  A.  Jackson;  join- 
ed the  Southern  army  and  served  in 
the   Civil   war  until  July,   1864,   when 


he  returned  home  wounded,  convicted 
of  sin  and  given  a  sweet  hope  in 
Jesus  about  this  time  and  a  few  years 
later — (November,  1873 — united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  at  Pleasant  Hill 
Edgecombe  County,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  W.  W.  Barnes.  He  was 
soon  licensed  to  preach,  and  in  May, 
1881,  was  ordained  by  Elders  B.  C. 
Pitt  and  J.  D.  Scott,  and  has  since 
served  his  home  church  as  pastor.  He 
is  in  his  seventy-fourth  year  of  age, 
has  been  married  fifty-three  years, 
which  union  has  been  blessed  with 
ten  children. 


P.    H.   JAMES. 

James,  Elder  P.  H.,  of  Prescott, 
Ark.,  is  at  present  Moderator  of  the 
Ouachita  Association  and  has  served 
in  this  capacity  for  about  twelve 
years  He  is  associate  editor  of  the 
Messenger  of  Peace,  and  has,  since 
his    ordination,    served    two    to    four 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


147 


churches.  Bern  in  Arkansas  1850,  rear- 
ed by  good  moral  parents,  he  was 
nearly  grown  before  he  bad  any  seri- 
ous thoughts  about  his  future  or  eter- 
nal welfare;  and  when  made  cognizant 
of  his  depraved,  sinful  condition,  like 
many  other  quickened  sinners  thought 
he  could  obtain  pardon  for  his  sins 
by  his  own  works,  or  by  the  law  of 
works.  But  instead  of  obtaining  what 
he  sought  for  he  felt  to  grow  worse, 
his  burden  became  heavier  and  with 
anguish  of  soul,  dark  despair  seized 
him.  But  he  was  not  allowed  to  re- 
main in  this  condition  long.  Jesus  was 
revealed  to  him  as  his  Saviour,  he  - 
united  with  the  church  at  Fellowship 
in  1879,  and  was  ordained  in  18S8  by 
Elders  J  F.  Middlebrooks,  L  F.  Grif- 
fin and  W.  J.  Hull.  Faithful  in  the 
work  he  is  greatly  beloved  by  his 
people. 


JAMES  JEFFERSON. 

Jefferson,  Elder  James,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia. This  faithful  minister  was  born 
in  Alexandria,  Va.,  in  1792,  and  died  in 
1874,  in  his  eighty-second  year  of  age. 
When  nineteen  years  old  he  moved  to 
West  Virginia,  fought  in  the  war  of  ! 
1812;  returned  home,  was  married  to 
Miss  Zeniah  Freeland,  settled  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ohio  river,  the  old  farm 
still  being  known  as  the  Jefferson 
homestead.  Elder  Jefferson  was  a  rel-  I 
ative  of  the  famous  statesman,  Thomas  i 
Jefferson.  In  early  manhood  he  was  ; 
convicted  of  sin  and  baptized  by  Elder 
Samuel  Kendershat.  Some  years  after 
this  he  was  ordained  to  the  ministerial 
work  and  was  a-  firm  and  fearless  advo- 
cate of  salvation  alone  by  grace.  He 
labored  witi*  Elders  Trott,  Beebe  and 
other  old  soldiers  of  this  day,  was  per- 
sonally acquainted  with  Alexander 
Campbell  and  helped  oppose  him  in  the 
division  of  1827.  Elder  Jefferson  built 
up  several  churches,  preached  in  school 
houses,  court  houses  and  wherever 
opportunity  was  given;  was  charitable 
to  the  poor,  a  good  neighbor  and  hon- 
ored citizen. 


J.    N.   JEFFERSON. 

Jefferson,  Elder  J.  N.,  of  Mounds- 
ville,  W  Va.,  was  born  March  4,  1849; 
raised  on  the  farm;  given  a  high 
school  education  and  began  teaching 
when  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  fol- 
lowed this  for  eight  years.  He  united 
with  Rock  Hill  Church  in  October, 
1889, — which  church  was  founded  by 
his    grandfather — Elder    James    Jeffer- 


son,— was  baptized  by  Elder  T.  N. 
Alderton,  began  preaching  in  1890, 
and  ordained  in  1893  by  Elders  T.  N. 
Alderton,  C.  H.  Wjaters  and  D.  T. 
Poynter,  and  has  since  had  the  care 
of  churches.  Elder  Jefferson  is  not 
only  a  faithful  minister  but  has  also 
been  a  useful  citizen.  While  he  is  the 
only  Old  School  Baptist  in  the  city, — 


J.    N.   JEFFERSON 

his  home, — and  his  doctrine  is  not 
loved,  yet  he  has  been  five  times 
elected  on  the  city  council,  has  served 
twelve  years  as  magistrate  and  has 
been  chosen  more  than  a  dozen  times 
as  administrator,  is  guardian  of  sev- 
eral orphans,  and  though  he  is  up- 
right, honest  and  truthful  he  feels  he 
deserves  no  commendations  for  he 
can  say,  like  Paul,  "By  the  grace  of 
God  I  am  what  I  am." 


LEGGETT  JENKINS. 

Jenkins,  Elder  Leggett.  The  subject 
of  this  notice  was  born  April  27,  1825, 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church, 
1853,  and  soon  thereafter  began  to 
preach;  was  ordained  to  the  full  work 
of  the  ministry  May,  1858,  which  posi- 
tion he  filled  with  honor  to  the  day  of 
his  death  which  occurred  at  his  home 
in  Lauderdale  County,  Ala.,  November 
15  1896.  He  was  an  earnest  advocate 
of  the  truth,  sound  in  the  faith  of  God's 
elect,  and  boldly  declared  that  eternal 
life  is  the  gift  of  God,  using  as  his  first 
text  the  words  of  our  Saviour,  "My 
sheep  hear  My  voice,"  etc.  He  dearly 
loved  the  Baptist  cause,  and  spent 
about  forty  years  of  his  life  in  the  min- 
istry, during  which  time  he  preached 
a  great  deal,  traveling  principally  on 


148 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


horseback.  He  was  a  plain,  humble 
herald  of  the  Cross,  ever  ready  to  go 
where  duty  called;  lived  an  exemplary 
life,  both  in  the  church  and  in  his  daily 
walk,  fulfilling  the  scriptural  injunc- 
tion to  "provide  things  honest  in  the 
sight  cf  all  men."  In  the  death  of 
Brother  Jenkins,  the  church  has  lost  a 
faithful,  worthy  member  and  wise 
counsellor;  his  companion  a  kind  lov- 
ing husband;  and  his  children  an  in 
dulgent  father;  and  the  community  a 
useful  and  honored  citizen. 


FRANK   JENKINS. 

Jenkins,  Elder  Frank,  was  born  in 
Culpepper  County,  Va.,  July  8,  1815; 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Kentucky 
when  a  child,  united  with  the  church 
when  about  nineteen  years  old  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Whitehead.  He 
was  soon  ordained  to  the  ministerial 
work  and  during  his  ministry  of  about 
sixty  years  served  several  churches 
successfully,  and  was  for  about  four- 
teen years  moderator  of  the  Salem 
Association.  Possessed  of  a  strong 
mind,  his  ideas  wore  clear  cut  and 
well  defined,  an  able  defender  of  sal- 
vation by  grace,  a  zealous  worker  in 
his  Master's  vineyard,  he  adorned  the 
doctrine  he  professed,  and  died  in  the 
full  triumphs  of  that  faith  March-  5, 
1896,  in  his  eighty-first  year  of  age. 


JOSHUA   JENNINGS. 

Jennings,  Elder  Joshua  of  Virginia, 
was  born  in  Culpepper  County  in  1800, 
and  when  he  was  about  twenty-one 
years    of    age    moved    to    Rockingham 


County  where  he  made  his  home  until 
death  claimed  him  in  1872.  He  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry 
when  about  thirty  years  old  and  for 
forty  years  was  a  bold  defender  of  the 
truth,  serving  churches  within  the 
bounds  of  the  Ketocton  and  Ebenezer 
Associations.  A  full  sketch  of  his  life 
and  labors  could  not  be  obtained  by 
the  editor. 


R.    H.    JENNINGS. 


Jennings,  Elder  R.  H.,  of  Dawson, 
Ga.,  was  born  December  10,  1867,  had 
poor  advantages  to  obtain  an  edu- 
cation but  made  use  of  the  few  oppor- 
tunities within  his  reach;  felt  that 
he  could,  at  any  time,  turn  to  the  Lord 
"close  in  with  the  overtures  of  mercy 
and  be  saved,"  but  it  pleased  God  to 
convict  him  of  sin  and  show  him  his 
helpless  and  lost  condition,  his  cry 
being,  "Lord,  have  mercy  on  me!" 
So  cast  down  was  he  in  this  soul 
trouble  that  he  felt  he  must  die  and 
be  banished  from  God's  presence,  and 
made  some  preparations  for  death. 
But  God  delivered  him  out  of  this 
condition,  revealing  Jesus  to  him 
as  his  Friend  and  Redeemer.  Before 
uniting  with  the  church, — which  he 
delayed  in  doing  on  account  of  a  feel- 
ing sense  of  his  unworthiness,  but 
which  he  did  in  1885— he  felt  he 
would  have  to  preach  Jesus.  He  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  min- 
istry in  1889,  and  has  since  been  serv- 
ing three  to  five  churches,  has  bapaiz- 
ed  about  two  hundred  persons,  married 
,more  than  three  score  coupleh,  is 
clerk  of  his  home  association  and  is 
an  humble  preacher  relying  alone 
upon  mercy  for  salvation. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


149 


J.   M.  JOHNSON. 

Johnson,  Elder  J.  M.  This  gifted 
and  faithful  soldier  of  Jesus  was  a 
native  of  Tennessee.  He  was  horn 
September  6,  1867,  and  died  May  1, 
1908.  He  received  a  hope  in  Jesus  in 
his  twenty-third  year,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  the  following  year 
and  preached  his  first  sermon  January, 
1899.  In  his  twenty-second  year  of 
age,  his  father  died  and  as  a  dutiful 
son  he  gave  up  his  own  business,  re- 
mained at  home  and  provided  for  a 
widowed  mother,  seven  sisters  and  one 
brother.  As  he  was  devoted  and  true 
to  his  father's  natural  family,  so  he 
proved  to  be  to  the  spiritual  family 
of  his  Heavenly  Father.  He  loved  the 
church  and  served  it  faithfully  until 
his  death  and  when  in  his  last  illness 
he  from  time  to  time  composed  an 
article  for  publication  in  the  Primitive 
Baptist,  and  with  a  trembling  hand 
signed  it  as  his  last  words  to  his  be- 
loved brethren,  saying  at  the  time, 
"If  this  is  not  the  truth,  I  am  lost; 
but  I  am  not  afraid  to  risk  it."  In  this 
message  of  this  godly  man  he  set 
forth  Jesus  as  the  way,  the  truth  and 
the  life,  the  only  and  all  sufficient 
Saviour  who  completely  saves  all  his 
people  without  the  loss  of  one;  and 
sweetly  exhorts  the  dear  children  of 
God,  the  believer  in  J'esns,  to  follow 
Him  and  slow  their  faith  by  their 
works  and  thus  reap  the  blessings  of 
obedience.  Elder  Johnson  was  a  strong 
preacher,  a  good  neighbor,  and  a  faith- 
ful laborer  in  his  Master's  vineyard. 


in  Washington  County,  Ga.,  June  8, 
1812,  and  moved  to  Gadsden  County, 
Fla.,  1821.  In  1828  he  moved  to  Irwin 
(now  Brooks)  County,  Ga.,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death.  He  was  brought 
to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth  and  re- 
ceived into  the  fellowship  of  Bethle- 
hem Church,  July,  1805.  He  had  not 
been  with  the  church  long  until  they 
saw  the  gift  of  a  deacon  in  him,  and 
in  June,  1851,  he  was  ordained  as  dea- 
con. He  served  the  church  faithfully 
for  seventeen  years,  and  it  was  shown 
that  his  Master  required  his  services 
as  pastor.  In  1872  he  was  called  to  the 
care  of  Mt.  Olive  Church,  Madison 
County,  Fla.,  and  was  ordained  in 
September  to  the  full  functions  of 
the  gospel,  by  Elders  Crawford  Tuck- 
er and  H.  G.  Fuller.  He  was  called  to 
the  care  of  his  home  church  1875, 
which  charge  he  kept  until  the  day 
of  his  death.  He  was  faithful  to  his 
charge;  he  was  gentle,  loving,  and 
kindly  affectionate  towards  his  breth- 
ren, and  it  can  never  be  said  that  a 
charge  was  brought  against  him  by 
his  church;  never  once  did  he  dis- 
grace the  profession,  as  many  have 
done,  but  was  ever  found  at  his  post 
contending  against  ungodliness  and 
disorder  in  the  church.  He  kept  the 
faitn,  he  fought  a  good  fight,  and 
when  his  hour  came  to  depart,  he 
went  to  sleep  without  a  groan,  or 
shudder,  or  anything  to  indicate  suf- 
fering. 0,  blessed  sleep!  Discharged 
from  pain  and  labor,  from  warfare 
and  hardships,  to  meet  a  sure  reward 
for  all  the  redeemed  of  God;  a  clear 
record  left  behind  and  honorably 
discharged.  "Blessed  are  the  dead 
who  die  in  the  Lord."  His  kind  words", 
his  godly  admonition,  and  his  pious 
walk,  will  live  yet  many  days  with 
those  who  were  blessed  to  know  hi.m 


WILSON    JOHNSON. 

Johnson,  Elder  Wilson,  of  Brooks 
County,  Ga.,  was  called  from  his  la- 
bors, December  17,  1893.  He  was  born 


JORDAN     W.     JOHNSON. 


Johnson,  Elder  Jordan  W.,  of  Whit- 
akers,  Edgecombe  County,  X.  C  ,  son 
of  Aaron  and  Winnifred  Johnson,  nee 
Walker,  was  born  May  30,  1833.  His 
father  made  no  profession,  his  moth- 
er was  a  Primitive  Baptist,  and  tried 
to  bring  him  up  right.  But  he  grew  up 
wild,  and  thoughtless,  caring  only  for 
the  pleasures  and  attainments  of  this 
world.  He  was  exceedingly  anxious 
to  become  a  good  musician  and  to  be 
rich.  But  God  ordered  otherwise  for 
him.  He  was  convicted  of  sin,  felt  he 
would  soon  be  banished  into  an  eter- 
nal hell  for  his  sins,  and  some  thought 
he  w  ould  lose  his  mind.  But  God  de- 


150 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


livered  him.  Jesus  was  revealed  in 
him  the  hope  of  glory,  he  was  made 
to  hate  things  he  once  loved  and  love 
the  things  he,  in  early  life,  cared 
nothing  for.  The  church  appeared 
beautiful  and   he   was   constrained   by 


JORDAN   W.    JOHNSON 

the  love  of  God  to  walk  under  the 
blood-stained  banner  of  King  Emman- 
uel, and  was  baptized  by  Elder  John 
Stamper.  He  was  soon  impressed  with 
the  duty  of  preaching  Jesus,  the 
church  saw  the  gift  and  licensed  him 
in  18G4,  and  in  1871  he  was  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  by 
Elders  R.  D.  Hart  and  John  Stamper. 
Elder  Johnson  was  soon  called  to  the 
care  of  his  home  church — Williams, — 
and  afterward  Deep  Creek  and  Rocky 
Swamp.  He  is  now — 1908 — seventyfive 
years  old,  has  baptized  many,  married 
two  hundred  and  sixty-eight  couples, 
worked  hard  as  a  farmer,  and  for 
forty  years  has  been  a  faithful  soldier 
of  Jesus,  preaching  but  one  Lord,  one 
faith  and  one  baptism,  and  looking 
above  to  Him  as  his  only  hope  for 
time  and  eternity. 


ELK  JOHNSON. 

Johnson,  Elder  Elk,  of  San  Antonia, 
Texas  was  born  in  1838,  united  with 
Beulah  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
in  his  twenty-third  year  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  William  Hub- 
bard. He  attended  college  in  Ma- 
con, Ga.,  graduating  with  honors, 
entered  the  war  between  the 
states,  serving  as  lieutenant,  then  pro- 
moted to  captain,  and  later  to  major. 
On  his  return  from  the  war  he  served 
as    clerk   of   the    court     of      Moultrie 


County  and  Colquitt  County,  Ga.  Soon 
after  he  united  with  the  church  he  was 
impressed  with  the  duty  of  preaching 
a  crucified  Saviour  as  the  salvation 
of  sinners,  but  fought  against  this  im- 
pression and  offered  many  excuses. 
But  he  was  made  to  realize  with  the 
Apostle  Paul,  "Woe  is  me  if  I  preach 
not  the  gospel,"  and  he  was  set  apart 
by  his  church  to  preach  wherever  God 
in  His  providence  called  him.  He  has 
traveled  and  preached  in  many  states, 
and  finally  settled  in  Texas.  He  as- 
sisted in  the  organization  of  San  Ja- 
cinto Primitive  Baptist  Association  in 
October,  1873.  Later  he  moved  to 
Southwest  Texas,  locating  at  San  An- 


ELK    JOHNSON 

tonia  and  was  one  of  the  pioneer 
Primitive  Baptist  preachers  in  this 
section.  His  many  vicissitudes  in  bus- 
iness, as  a  merchant,  farmer  and  car- 
penter has  led  him  in  many  localities 
where  the  gospel  was  never  heard, 
and  upon  all  suitable  occasions  he  has 
endeavored  to  hold  up  the  blood  stain- 
ed banner  of  Jesus.  In  this  work  he 
has,  like  Paul,  not  built  on  another's 
foundation,  but  seemed  to  prefer  to 
go  "into  regions  beyond,"  to  preach  in 
destitute  places. 


R.  W.  JOHNSON. 

Johnson,  Eider  R.  W.,  of  Missouri, 
born  in  Gibson  County,  Ind„  1845,  ex- 
perienced a  hope  in  Jesus  when  about 
eighteen  years  of  age,  united  with  Big 
Creek  Church  two  years  later,  was,  a 
few  years  after  this  licensed,  and  after- 
ward ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry.  He  was  a  deep  in- 
vestigator, good  conversationalist  and 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


151 


an  able  writer.  His  writings  on  the 
resurrection  were  considered  very 
able  indeed.  At  the  age  of  fifty-five 
his  strong  mind  broke  down  and  he 
died  in  the  state  asylum  at  Fulton, 
Mo. 


S.  C.  JOHNSON. 


Johnson,  Elder  S.  C.  (1804-1892),  of 
Lowndes  County,  Miss.,  was  a  faithful 
devoted  and  useful  minister  and 
served  the  church  at  Sulphur  Spring, 
Monroe  County,  Miss.,  and  other 
churches  also  for  a  long  term  of  years. 
He  was  an  able  teacher,  not  only  by 
word,  but  by  example,  adorning  the 
doctrine  he  preached  with  a  godly 
walk  and  conversation.  Bold  and  zeal- 
ous in  the  cause  of  his  Master,  yet 
humble  and  sympathetic  as  a  child, 
his  influence  was  for  good  in  and  out 
of  the  pulpit.  The  editor  regrets  that 
a  full  sketch  of  his  life  could  not  be 
obtained. 


J.    C.    JONES. 


Jones,  Elder  J.  C,  of  Missouri,  was 
born  in  Illinois,  November  26,  1864. 
Early  in  life  he  was  tormented  with 
the  thought  that  he  was  a  sinner  in 
the  sight  of  God,  and  as  such  could 
never  see  His  face  in  peace,  and  only 
after  many  years  of  gloom  and  an- 
guish of  soul,  this  feeling  of  con- 
demnation and  guilt  gradually  passed 
away  and  he  found  himself  hoping 
in  the  mercy  of  God,  through  the 
merits  of  a  crucified  Redeemer.  He 
united  with  Rock  Creek  Church  in 
1894  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  R.  A. 


Oliphant.  Two  years  later  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
try, and  has  since  been  serving  from 
two  to  four  churches  and  is  a  faithful 
self-sacrificing  servant  of  his  Master. 
Elder  Jones  is  the  beloved  modtrator 
of  the  Nodaway  Association  of  Prim- 
itive Baptists  and  is  highly  esteemed 
among  his  people. 


ARCHIBALD  JONES. 

Jones,  Elder  Archibald,  of  North 
Carolina,  was  born  in  the  county  of 
Beaufort,  August  9,  1803,  and  died 
June  13,  1884.  He  united  with 
Blount's  Creek  Church  in  1849  and 
was  soon  ordained  as  deacon  and 
served  four  years  in  this  capacity 
when  he  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
work  and  until  the  end  of  his  life  was 
an  able,  willing  and  faithful  pastor. 
He  was  sound  in  doctrine  and  prac- 
tice and  led  an  exemplary  life  in  ac- 
cord with  the  doctrine  he  preached. 
Was  twice  married,  first  to  Miss  To- 
litha  Orrell  who  bore  him  eight  chil- 
dren. After  her  death  in  1874  he  was 
married  to  Mrs.  Lavina  t  Warren) 
Evitt.  He  passed  away  fully  trusting 
Him  whom  he  had  preached  to  others. 


S.   B.  JONES. 

Jones,  Elder  S.  B.,  of  Piano,  Iowa, 
was  born  in  Putnam  County  Indiana, 
September  1,  1828,-  and  moving  to 
Appanoose  County,  Iowa,  united  with 
Providence  Church  on  the  third  Satur- 
day in  November,  1870.  He  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry  in  May,  1S78, 
and  has  preached  Jesus  as  a  full  and 
complete  Saviour.  He  was  Moderator 
of  Hazel  Creek  Association  for  over 
twenty  years,  but  full  particulars  ef 
his  useful  labors  and  exemplary  life 
could  not  be  obained. 


W.   L.  JONES. 

Jones,  Elder  W.  L.,  of  Loveland, 
Iowa.  This  faithful  and  zealous  min- 
ister was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Ind., 
August  25,  1830.  In  his  nineteenth  year 
he  received  a  hope  in  the  Saviour, 
united  with  Council  Bluffs  Church. 
Pottawattamie  County,  Iowa,  in  1864, 
was  ordained  to  the  ministry  April  7, 
1866,  and  for  more  than  thirty  years 
was  a  faithful  pastor  of  churches.  He 
also  served  as  moderator  of  the  Mis- 


152 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


souri  Valley  Association  and  was  a 
lover  of  peace  in  the  churches  and 
earnestly   labored   to   that  end.     It  is 


W.    L.   JONES 


regretted    that   recent   information    of 
Elder  Jones  could  not  be  obtained. 


W.   M.  JONES. 

Jones,  Elder  W.  M.,  of  Missouri 
Valley,  Iowa,  was  born  in  Green 
County,  Ind.,  in  1852,  given  a  hope  in 
the  Saviour  and  united  with  the  Prim- 
itive Baptists  at  Council  Bluffs  in 
188G,  and  in  1907  the  church  licensed 
him  to  preach  wherever  God  in  His 
providence  may  cast  his  lot.  Elder 
Jones  loves  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus  and  desires  to  faithfully  wit- 
ness for  Him. 


ISAAC    JONES. 

Jones,  Elder  Isaac,  of  Maple  Hill, 
North  Carolina.  This  gifted  minister 
who  is  now  serving  seven  churches, 
and  has  for  many  years  served  as 
Moderator  of  the  White  Oak  Associa- 
tion, was  born  February  17,  1847,  join- 
ed the  Southern  army — Co.  L,  C7th 
N.  C,  Regiment, — in  his  seventeenth 
year;  convicted  of  sin  when  about 
twenty-one  years  of  age  and  for  three 
years  was  in  great  darkness  and 
trouble.  In  1870  he  was  given  a  hope 
in  Jesus,  united  with  Cold  Cypress 
Creek  Church  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  A.  Davis;  on  the  following  day 
he  was  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
preaching  Jesus  to  others.  Another 
three  years  passed  amid  much  trial; 
for  he  felt  he  had  none  of  the  spirit- 
ual qualifications  of  a  gospel  minis- 
ter, and  having  no  education, — preach- 
ing seemed  an  impossibility.  At  that 
time  he  could  not  write  his  name,  but 
God  became  mouth  and  wisdom  to 
him,  he  was  soon  ordained,  has  grown 
in  grace  and  knowledge,  and  is  an 
able  speaker  and  bold  defender  of1  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour.  Elder 
Jones,  in  early  life  was  reckless, 
wicked  and  intemperate,  and  feels  to 
be,  indeed,  a  miracle  of  grace.  He  is 
zealous  in  the  cause  of  truth  and 
highly  esteemed  among  his  brethren. 
Has  been  married  three  times,  is  in 
his  sixty-third  year  of  age  and  desires 
to  keep  the  faith  and  finish  his  course 
with  joy.  i 

J.   A.   T.   JONES. 


Jones,  Elder  J.  A.  T.,  of  McCullers, 
N.  C.  This  useful  and  faithful  minister 
is  the  pastor  of  Middle  Creek,  Salem, 
Smithfield       and       Willow       Springs 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


153 


Churches.  He  is  also  clerk  of  the 
Little  River  Primitive  Baptist  Associa- 
tion and  is  highly  esteemed  among 
Baptists  wherever  known. 


J.  T.  JORDAN. 

Jordan,  Elder  J.  T.,  of  Lilburn,  Ga., 
This  able  and  useful  minister  is  the 
beloved  Moderator  of  the  Yellow 
River  Primitive  Baptist  Association 
of  Georgia,  and  the  faithful  pastor  of 
the  following  churches  of  said  Associa- 
tion: Harris  Springs,  Sweet  Water, 
Camp  Creek  and  Fellowship.  It  is  with 
regret  that  a  suitable  sketch  of  his 
life  and  labors  could  not  appear. 


BENJAMIN    M.  JOWERS. 

Jowers,  Elder  Benjamin  M.„  of  Cen- 
tral, Elmore  County,  Ala.,  oldest  son 
of  Elder  Benjamin  Jowers  by  his  last 
wife  was  born  in  Carroll  County,  Ga., 
February  1G,  1851,  raised  by  Christian 
parents  who  taught  him  the  way  he 
should  go,  but  could  not  make  him 
love  that  way.  Early  in  life  he  moved, 
with  his  parents,  to  Alabama,  and  be- 
came a  leader  of  rowdy,  mischievous 
boys.  But  God  arrested  him  in  his 
wild  career.  At  nineteen  he  was 
blessed  with  a  quiet,  steady  girl  as 
life  companion,  and  when  about  twen- 
ty years  of  age  was  convicted  of  sin. 
For  sixteen  years  he  was  marching  in 
the  wilderness  and  laboring  under  the 
law,  but  in  September,  1887,  he  was 
blessed  with  sweet  deliverance  in 
Jesus.  At  the  same  time  he  was  also 
impressed  with  the  duty  of  preaching 
and  because  of  this  impression,  and 
feeling  he  could  not  preach,  he  re- 
mained out  of  the  church  for  eight 
years.  But  his  love  for  the  church  was 
so  great  he  went  forward,  joined 
Bethel  Church,  December  1895,  and 
determined  he  would  live  as  a  mem- 
ber without  preaching.  His  church 
saw  his  gift  and  also  saw  his  rebellion, 
and  when  they  granted  him  licenses 
he  arose  in  conference  determined  he 
would  object  but  could  not  speak. 
Then  and  there  he  was  made  willing. 
He  was,  in  1904,  ordained  to  the  full 
ministerial     work    by    Elders    H.    G. 


Harris,  R.  B.  Smith,  J.  R.  Mauk,  J.  P. 
Nobles  and  J.  A.  Nix.  During  his  min- 
istry he  has  traveled  about  2,500  miles 
a  year  in  his  buggy  in  the  gospel  ser- 
vice, has  met  eighty  or  more  Old 
School  Baptist  ministers  and  is  zeal- 
ous in  the  cause  of  truth  and  finds 
peace  in  performance  of   duty. 


BENJAMIN  JOWERS. 

Jowers,  Elder  Benjamin,  of  Alabama 
This  eminent  minister  was  born  in 
South  Carolina,  September  4,  1806, 
united  with  the  Baptists  before  the 
great  division,  1827-32  and  in  this  sad 
war  stood  firm  for  Bible  doctrine  and 
practice  and  ever  afterwards  re- 
mained with  the  Old  School  brethren. 
He  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1840  and 
ordained  at  Shiloh  Church.  Randolph 
(now  Clay)  County,  Ala.,  in  1842  by 
Elders  Richard  Gaudier,  Wm.  Morri- 
son and  John  Duke,  and  for  forty 
eight  years  was  actively  engaged  in 
the  service  of  churches.  He  served 
as  Moderator  of  Wetumpka  Associa- 
tion fifteen  years  and  was  highly  es- 
teemed wherever  known.  He  was 
married  three  times  and  had  nineteen 
children  born  to  him — three  by  his 
first  wife,  nine  by  his  second  and 
seven  by  his  third,  was  a  remarkable 
man,  a  good  husband,  father  and 
neighbor,  well  established  in  the  doc- 
trine of  salvation  by  grace,  and  died 
in  the  triumphs  of  faith,  June  23,  1890. 

JOSEPH   J.  JOYCE. 

Joyce,  Elder  Joseph  J.,  was  the  son 
of  Alex  and  Mary  Joyce,  was  born  in 
Henry  County,  Va.,  September  26, 
1852,  and  was  married  to  Sarah  E. 
Vernon,  November  3,  1870.  Unto  this 
union  were  born  five  sons  and  eight 
daughters.  He  united  with  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church  by  experience  at 
Buffalo,  in  1S70.  Was  baptized  by 
Elder  Robert  Hill  and  began  preaching 
in  a  short  time.  He  was  a  great  fav- 
orite of  the  brethren  and  friends,  and 
his  preaching  was  much  appreciated 
by  all  who  knew  him.  While  he  did 
not  travel  far  from  home  he  made 
many  sacrifices  for  the  cause  of  truth. 


K 


MARTIN  KAUFFMAN. 

Kauffman,  Elder  Martin,  of  Virginia, 
This  minister  lived  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  seventeenth  and  the  early  years 
of   the   eighteenth    century,    was   bap- 


tized by  Elder  John  Koontz  and  trav- 
eled much  with  that  eminent  servant 
of  God.  It  was  on  one  of  these  preach- 
ing tours  that  Elder  Kauffman  was 
mistaken  for  Elder  Koontz  by  a  ruffian 
who  had  been  instigated  by  others  to 


154 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


such  methods  of  persecution,  and 
was  severely  beaten.  The  two  were 
stopping  at  a  brother's  home  one  night 
in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  near  Mill 
Creek  Church  now  Page  County,  and 
were  preparing  to  hold  service  when 
Elder  Koontz  heard  inquiry  being 
made  for  him,  and  suspecting  mischief, 
stepped  in  an  adjoining  room,  leaving 
Kauffman  to  meet  the  stranger.  It  was 
some  time  before  Elder  Kauffman 
could  convince  the  barbarian  that  his 
name  was  not  Koontz.  There  are  many 
descendants  of  Elder  Kauffman  living 
in  Page  County. 


CALAWAY    KECK. 

Keck,  Elder  Calaway  of  Walnut 
Hill,  Va  ,  was  born  March  2,  1861,  in 
Union  County,  Tenn.,  obtained  a  hope 
in  Jesus  in  his  sixteenth  year  but  lived 
out  of  church  for  six  years,  when  he 
united  with  Big  Barren  Church  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Henry  Ausmus. 
He  was  ordained  in  1897  and  after 
serving  churches  several  years  in  his 
native  state,  moved  to  West  Virginia, 
and  is  now  living  in  the  bounds  of 
Powells   Valley    Association. 


FREDERICK   W.   KEENE. 

Keene,  Elder  Frederick  W.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  notice  was  born  in  London, 
England,  March  28,  1S56,  moved  with 
his  parents  to  Montreal,  Canada,  in 
his  fourteenth  year,  united  with  the 
New  School  Baptists  in  1873  and  be- 
gan preaching  for  them  in  1875.  But 
becoming  dissatisfied  with  their  doc- 
trine and  practices  he  publicly  with- 


drew in  1880  and  in  February,  1881, 
united  with  the  Old  School  Baptists, 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Wm.  L.  Bebee, 
soon  ordained  and  has  been  serving 
churches  since.  His  home  is  in  North 
Berwick,  Me.  He  is  a  gifted  preacher, 
a  fluent  writer  and  greatly  beloved  for 
the  truth's  sake.  In  regard  to  his 
christian  experience  he  writes  as  fol- 
lows, "During  my  boyhood  days  I 
lived  and  walked  in  the  lusts  of  the 
flesh  and  shrank  from  nothing  to  grat- 
ify my  carnal  appetite.  But  God  ar- 
rested my  wild  career.  On  the  first 
Sunday  in  April,  1871  I  sat  in  a  New 
School  Baptist  Church  in  the  city  of 
Montreal  and  the  preacher  gave  out 
his  text,  'Boast  not  thyse^  of  tomor- 
row, for  thou  knowest  not  what  a  day 
may  bring  forth.'  Instantly  my  soul 
was  stricken,  and  all  my  vile  anticipa- 
tions were  blasted,  and  the  terrors  of 
the  Almighty  made  me  afraid.  What 
the  preacher  said  in  his  sermon  I 
have  not  the  slightest  remembrance  of. 
I  was  a  vile  condemned  sinner  before 
the  LOrd.  My  sins  revived,  they 
stared  me  in  the  face  and  I  felt  myself 
a  fit  subject  for  the  damnation  of  hell. 
I  feared  that  the  awful  curse  of  God 
would  be  poured  forth  upon  me 
and  perhaps  before  tomorrow. 
I  shall  die,  and  I  shall  go 
to  hell,  God  will  say  to  me,  'de- 
part ye  cursed  into  everlasting  fire, 
prepared  for  the  devil,  and  his  angels." 
My  trouble  over  my  sins  continued 
and  increased  and  I  could  see  no 
ground  for  hope  that  there  could  be 
mercy  for  one  so  wicked  as  I.  I  be- 
gan to  loathe  my  sins,  to  sigh  and 
mourn  over  my  vileness,  but  no  relief 
could  I  find.  Again  I  attended  preach- 
ing, and  the  minister  announced  his 
text  'God  is  love.'  I  felt,  'Can  it  be  so?' 
A  little  ray  of  hope  shone  in,  and  I 
wished  it  might  be  so.  But  in  a  mom- 
ent all  was  dashed  away,  for  I  felt,  if 
it  be  true,  it  could  not  be  God  loved 
me,  and  I  sank  yet  lower  in  despair. 
But  the  Holy  Spirit's  still  small  voice- 
said  to  my  sin  stricken  heart,  'God  is: 
love,'  Then  indeed  my  heart  was. 
broken,  and  melted  in  sorrow  before 
the  Lord,  and  with  a  contrite  spirit,  I" 
prayed  for  mercy,  prayed  for  sal- 
vation, but  the  way  of  salvation 
fpr  a  sinner  like  me  I  could  not 
see.  Indeed.  I  thought  I  was  add- 
ing to  my  guilt  to  think  there  could  be 
pardon  for  such  a  sinner.  Night  came 
and  I  retired  to  my  room  imploring 
mercy,  every  moment  I  felt  the  Lord 
must  soon  come,  or  I  must  perish.. 
While  thus  crying  to  the  Almighty 
God,  there  came  before  me  a  vision  of 
Jesus  on  the  cross,  and  a  voice  said  in 
my  soul,  'Salvation  is  in  my  dear  Son."- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


155 


This  was  a  gracious  revelation,  and 
while  I  was  wrapped  up  with  this 
sight,  my  heart  went  forth  with  all 
desire  to  Jesus  that  I  might  know  He 
was  mine,  that  He  died  for  me.  Then 
I  thought  He  looked  upon  me,  so  pity- 
ingly and  said,  'Look  unto  me.'  O  my 
heart  with  all  entreaty  looked  to  him, 
and  he  looked  upon  me,  and  said,  'I 
suffered  for  thee.'  Immediately  my 
burden  was  gcr.j  and  sweet  joy  and 
peace  flowed  iuto  my  soul.  I  wept 
and  cried  aloud  for  joy.  This  was  the 
beginning  of  my  hope  of  salvation  in 
Christ,  the  Lamb  of  God.  To  write  all 
the  experiences  of  my  soul  from  that 
sweet  day  till  now  would  fill  volumes. 
I  was  led  by  the  Lord  soon  after  this 
into  the  knowledge  of  the  glorious 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour."  Elder 
Keene  is  a  faithful  pastor  and  his 
labors  have  been  blessed  with  abund- 
ant fruit.  ■ 

E.  M.  KEENEY. 

Keencty,  Elder  E.  M.  was  born  De- 
cember IS,  1862,  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  near  Monroe  in  Jasper 
County.  Iowa,  when  twenty-four  years 
of  age  and  was  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  at  Council  Bluffs 
Church,  Loveland,  Iowa,  May  13,  1905. 
The  editor  was  unable  to  obtain  a  full 
sketch  of  Elder  Keeney's  life  and  lab- 
ors.   


R,  L.  KEETON. 

Keeton,  Elder  R.  L.,  of  Kellogg, 
Iowa,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  March 
20,  1S69,  moved  with  his  mother  to 
Iowa  when  four  years  old,  his  father 
having  died  when  he  was  one  year 
old.  He  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptist     Church     at     Grinnell,   Iowa, 


January,  1901,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  R.  A.  Oliphant.  He  was  soon 
impressed  with  the  duty  of  preaching 
the  gospel  of  Christ  and  was  ordain- 
ed November,  1907.  He  has  the  care 
of  churches  and  proves  by  his  life 
that  he  loves  the  cause  of  Jesus. 


JOHN  KELLY. 

Kelly,  Elder  John,  of  Tennessee, 
was  one  of  the  old,  faithful  preachers 
before  the  division  with  the  New  School 
Baptist.  He  was  one  of  the  presbytery 
in  the  constitution  of  Union  Church, 
now  known  as  Sweeten's  Cove  Church, 
Marion  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  its 
first  pastor.  He  died  at  his  post  many 
years  ago,  and  the  editor  regrets  that 
data  for  a  full  sketch  of  Elder  Keily's 
life  and  labcrs  could  not  be  obtained. 


J.  W.  KELLY. 

Kelly,  Elder  J.  W.,  of  Gellwood,  Flu., 
was  born  May  11,  1833,  received  a 
hope  in  Jesus  in  his  fourteenth  year, 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists  at 
Baker  Creek  Church,  Indiana,  1861, 
was  ordained  at  Orange  Church,  Fla., 
1S92,  and  after  a  few  years  of  labor 
in  the  Master's  vineyard  fell  asleep 
June  19,.  1901  For  the  last  few  years 
of  his  life  he  was  a  great  sufferer 
from  cancer,  yet  never  murmured  nor 
complained  and  died  in  the  full  tri- 
umphs of  faith. 


ELLIS  KELLY. 

Kelly,  Elder  Ellis,  of  Kentucky,  was 
born  February  22,  1829,  in  Grayson 
County,  Ky.,  and  died  October  2,  1904. 


156 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


He  united  with  the  Baptists  at  Pine 
Knob  Church  in  Grayson  County,  June, 
1879,  and  was,  by  the  same  church, 
ordained  May  28,  1887.  Elder  Kelly., 
while  not  highly  educated  was  above 
the  average  in  intelligence,  was  a  man 
of  good  judgment  and  an  able  reason- 
er.  When  convinced  of  a  correct  posi- 
tion he  was  unyielding.  The  doctrine 
of  predestination  and  election,  that 
God's  people  were  chosen  in  Christ 
before  the  world  was  and  would  all 
eventually  be  saved  without  the  loss  of 
one,  were  sweet  themes  to  him.  Be- 
fore his  death  he  realized  he  must 
soon  die,  and  told  his  loved  ones  he 
was  not  afraid  to  meet  death,  and 
gently  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 


GEO.  W.   KELLY. 

Kelly,  Elder  Geo.  W.  This  gifted  man 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  1794  and 
died  at  his  home  in  Floyd  County,  Va., 
1878.  He  united  with  Clear  Springs 
Church  in  1819,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  John  Wilson,  was  ordained  in 
1833,  served  churches  until  his  death 
and  was  for  many  years  Moderator  of 
Pig  River  'Association.  During  his 
ministry  he  baptized  many  persons  and 
married  over  eight  hundred  couples. 
Probably  no  man  of  the  nineteenth 
century  ever  stood  more  firm  in  the 
doctrine  of  salvation  by  grace.  He 
had  no  fellowship  for  the  new-fangled 
schemes  introduced  among  the  Bap- 
tists in  the  present  century;  but  when 
these  peace  and  union  dividing  here- 
sies were  troubling  the  church,  he 
stood  firm  as  a  rock,  and  when  the 
time  had  fully  come  for  the  church  to 
declare  non-fellowship  with  the  un- 
scriptural  and  God  dishonoring 
schemes  of  man's  devising  he  stood 
firm.  Elder  Kelly  stood  on  the  old 
platform  and  never  swerved  to  the 
right  or  left.  The  golden  bait  of  popu- 
larity had  no  charms  for  him.  His 
Master's  honor  and  glory  were  upper- 
most in  his  mind  and  next  to  it  was  the 
union  of  the  churches.  The  slanderer's 
tongue  nor  the  scorner's  frowns  did 
not  stop  him  for  a  moment.  He  gloried 
not  save  in  the  cross  of  Jesus  Christ. 
The  latter  part  of  his  ministry  seemed 
to  be  the  brightest.  The  remark  was 
often  made  by  professor  and  non-prof- 
essor that  as  he  advanced  in  years  he 
also  advanced  in  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry. He  was  partially  blind  for  a 
number  of  years  before  his  death,  a 
portion  of  the  time  nearly  entirely  so 
but  with  a  guide  he  still  went  on  and 
preached  the  glorious  gospel  until  his 
final  discharge  came. 


H.   C.    KER. 

Ker,  Elder  H.  C.,  of  Middletown,  N. 
Y.,  was  born  in  Quantico,  Wicomico 
County,  Maryland,  December  1,  1860. 
His  parents  were  New  School  Bap- 
tists, his  father  being  an  ordained  min- 
ister of  that  denomination.  He  was 
educated  in"  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  county.  At  home  he  was  taught 
the  religion  of  nis  parents,  who  were 
good,  kind  and  fatihful.  When  thir- 
teen years  old,  the  New  School  Bap- 
tists held  a  protracted  meeting  in  his 
town  when  he  with  several  others, 
united  with  them  by  baptism,  and 
verily  thought  they  were  the  church  of 
Gcd.  In  1890,  his  mind  became  ex- 
ercised regarding  the  Bible  and  spirit- 
ual things.  Such  an  experience  he  had 
never  had  before.  He  began  to  visit 
all  denominations  in  reach,  hoping 
to  find  somewhere  that  which  would 
give  the  conscience  ease  and  rest. 
He  found  none  who  preached  what  he 
thought  the  Bible  taught;  none  ex- 
pressed themselves  as  he  felt,  until 
at  last  he  found  companionship  among 
the  Old  School  Baptists,  and  was  re- 
ceived into  the  fellowship  of  Little 
Creek  Church,  Sussex  County,  Del., 
May,  1894,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
A.  B.  Francis.  He  felt  from  the  day 
of  his  baptism  that  he  must  declare 
what  God  had  done  for  poor  sinners. 
In  June,  1896,  he  was  licensed  and  in 
November,  1897  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  by 
Elders  A.  B.  Francis,  E.  Rittenhouse, 
S.  H.  Durand,  T.  M.  Poulson  and  W.  W. 
Meredith.  Elder  Ker  has  served  Black 
Rock  Church,  Baltimore  County,  Md  , 
and  the  Middletown  and  New  Vernon 
churches,  located  in  Orange  County, 
N.  Y.  and  the  church  at  Woonbine, 
Mass.     He  is  also  associate  editor  of 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


157 


"The  Signs  of  the  Times,"  is  modera- 
tor of  the  Warwick  Old  School  Bap- 
tist Association,  is  a  gifted  writer  and 
preacher  and  much  beloved  b>  his 
churches. ■ — 


S.     KETCHUM. 


Ketchum,  Elder  S.,  of  McDonough 
County,  111.  The  following  information 
of  Elder  Ketchum  is  found  in  Elder 
Walter  Cash's  book  published  1890; 
"He  was  born  in  Crawford  County, 
O.,  January  7,  1840,  and  united  with 
Barren  Grove  Church  in  Henry  Coun- 
ty, August  1,  1870.  He  was  ordained 
the  second  Sunday  in  June,  1873,  and 
has  since  then  served  as  pastor  of 
churches,  having  charge  of  two 
churches  at  this  time,  which  esteem 
him  very  highly."  The  editor  regrets 
that  later  information  could  not  be 
obtained.  — ■ 

CHRISTOPHER    KEYSER. 


Keyser,  Elder  Christopher,  of  Vir- 
ginia, was  a  native  of  Page  County, 
and  was  pastor  at  Hawk's  Bill, 
Smith's  Creek,  and  other  churches  in 
the  Shenandoah  Valley.  He  was  con- 
sidered a  sound  minister  in  doctrine 
and  practice  and  opposed  all  new  de- 
partures from  the  plain,  simple  teach- 
ing of  the   Scripture   and   practice  of 


the  apostles, — was  highly  esteemed 
and  faithful  in  the  cause  of  truth.  He 
died  about  the  year  1855,  and  the  ed- 
itor regrets  that  for  lack  of1  informa- 
tion a  more  detailed  sketch  of  his  life 
and   labors  could  not  appear. 


F.    D.    L.    KOEN. 

Koen,  Elder  F.  D.  L.  was  born  July 
3,1815;  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  in  1838,  was  ordained  to  the 
ministry  in  1856  died  at  the  home  of 
his  son,  Elder  A.  P.  Koen,  March  18, 
1908,  in  his  ninety-third  year.  He  had 
been  a  member  of  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  about  seventy  years,  and 
was  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who 
knew  him. 


JOHN   KOONTZ. 

Koontz,  Elder  John.  This  eminent 
servant  of  God  was  of  German  birth, 
and  labored  among  the  Baptists  of 
Rockingham,  which  then  included 
Page,  Culpepper,  Frederick  and  adja- 
cent Counties.  In  the  present  county 
of  Page  there  are  many  descendants 
of  Elder  Koontz.  He  was  baptized  in 
1768,  ordained  in  1776,  was  in  the 
constitution  of  Whitehouse  (now 
Mill  Creek)  Church  in  1772,  and  served 
during  his  forty  years  of  ministerial 
life  many  churches  in  the  mountainous 
part  of  the  state  and  in  the  Shenan- 
doah Valley,  among  them  Mill  .Creek, 
Lost  River  and  Brocks  Gap.  Elder 
Koontz  was  one  of  the  pioneer  preach- 
ers of  the  Shenandoah  Valley  and  suf- 
fered much  persecution  for  Christ's 
sake.  But  being  called,  qualified  and 
sustained  by  the  hand  of  heaven  and 
earth  he  remained  firm,  faithful  and 
unshaken  in  the  apostle's  doctrine, 
boldly  defending  salvation  by  grace, 
and  earnestly  exhorting  God's  believ- 
ing children  to  walk  in  the  ordinances 
of  the  Lord's  house.  He  died  in  1832, 
between  ninety  and  a  hundred  years 
of  age,  and  was  buried  in  the  Shuler- 
Koontz  burying  grounds,  located  on 
+he  north  side  of  the  Shenandoah 
River,  Page  County,  on  the  present 
home  place  of  Deacon  A.  Jackson 
Shuler.  His  grave  is  marked  with  a 
simple,  rough  slate-rock  slab,  with 
these  words:  "John  Koontz,  died 
1832." 


158 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


SAMUEL   J.    LACKEY. 

Lackey,  Elder  Samuel  J.,  who  in  the 
latter  part  of  his  life,  moved  from 
Virginia  to  Colorado  and  died  there 
October  4,  1884,  was  born  in  Patrick 
County,  Va.,  May  10,  1816,  united  with 
Liberty  Old  School  Baptist  Church  in 
1834,  baptized  by  Elder  John  Conner, 
married  to  Miss  Drucilla  Coon,  1834, 
began  preaching  in  1847,  and  was  or- 
dained in  184S  by  Elders  John  Con- 
ner, Nathaniel  Thompson,  Joshua 
Adams  and  William  Law  son.  He  was 
considered  a  very  able  and  gifted  min 
ister  and  highly  esteemed  by  his 
brethren,  contended  earnestly  and 
faithfully  for  the  faith  that  was  once 
delivered  unto  the  saints,  served  as 
pastor  of  Granam's,  State  Line,  and 
Liberty  churches  and  died  in  the  full 
triumph  of  faith  in  the  sixty-eighth 
year  of  his  age.  , 


D.    J.    LAMB. 

Lamb,  Elder  D.  J.  was  born  Novem- 
ber %  1824,  in  Emanuel  County,  Ga., 
and  died  October  20,  1901.  He  united 
with  Canooche  Church  by  letter  from 
Bethesda  Church,  Jefferson  County, 
Ga.,  March  6,  1869.  He,  however,  had 
served  Canooche  Church  since  1861, 
and  continued  to  serve  it  and  other 
churches  as  a  faithful  pastor  for  many 
years.  A  more  faithful  man  and  more 
devoted  to  his  calling  would  be  diffi- 
cult to  find.  He  went  and  preached 
Jesus  to  the  people  as  long  as  his  phy- 
sical strength  would  admit  it.  He  was 
married  twice,  and  his  second  wife,  a 
dear  sister  in  Christ  and  several  chil- 
dren, survive  him.  A  short  time  be- 
fore his  death  he  called  his  dear  wife 
and  children  around  him  and  told  them 
that  he  was  passing  away  from  death 
into  life,  and  spoke  encouragingly  to 
them,  and  endeavored  to  impress  it 
upon  their  minds  that  there  is  a  living 
God,  and  prayed  to  the  Lord  that  the 
next  breath  might  be  the  last  though 
it  was  about  one  week  afterward  be- 
fore the  final  end,  when  we  verily  be- 
lieve he  really  did  pass  out  of  death, 
as  he  said,  into  eternal  life.  He  died 
in  the  full  triumphs  of  faith,  trying 
to  impress  upon  others  the  reality  of 
the  Christian  religion  that  he  had  so 
lcng  endeavored  to  live  and  preach. 


BENJAMIN     LAMPTON. 

Lampton,  Elder  Benjamin.  This  em- 
inent minister  was  set  for  the  defense 
of  the  gospel,  and  was,  perhaps,  in 
his  day,  the  most  able  debater  and 
used  the  greatest  array  of  Scripture 
in  argument,  of  any  minister  among 
our  people.  "Manuscripts  of  Elder 
Lampton,"  the  title  of  a  book  pub- 
lished by  Elder  W.  A.  Chastain,  is  the 
most  wonderful  array  of  Scripture 
quotations  bearing  on  the  subjects 
discussed  in  a  few  of  his  debates,  and 
is  profitable  reading  for  all  seekers 
after  truth.  Elder  Lampton  was  born 
in  Kentucky,  May  10,  1825,  united 
with  Crews  Creek  Church,  in  Ken- 
tucky, in  his  twenty-sixth  year,  com- 
menced preaching  when  thirty,  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Elizabeth  Baker  in  1848, 
and  to  his  second  wife,  Miss  Emma 
Brumback  in  1S87,  was  a  first  cousin 
of  "Mark  Twain,"  whose  right  name 
is  Samuel  Lampton  Clemmons,  and  in 
his  field  of  labor  was  as  much"  noted 
for  quick  wit  as  the  famous  "Mark."  He 
was  the  youngest  of  three  sons,  lost 
his  father  when  four  years  old,  raised 
to  manhood  by  a  widowed  mother 
with  limited  opportunities  for  an  edu- 
cation and  in  turn  cared  for  her  in 
his  home  until  her  death  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty,  was  the  pastor 
of  five  churches  in  Kentucky  and 
Ohio,  first  visited  Virginia  in  1SS6, 
and  such  a  revival  of  religion  among 
the  churches  in  the  Valley  that  fol- 
lowed will  long  be  remembered,   was 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


159 


B.  L.  LANDERS. 


Landers,  Elder  B.  L.,  was  born  in 
Gwinnet  County,  Ga .,  on  August  23, 
1828,  and  died  at  his  home  near  Em- 
met, Ark.,  on  'March  1,  1905.  He  was 
given  a  good  hope  through  grace  in 
his  early  manhood,  united  with  the 
church  and  on  July  29,  1871,  was 
ordained  to  the  full  functions  of  the 
gospel  ministry  by  a  presbytery  con- 
sisting of  Elders  T.  J.  Foster  and  D. 
B.  Almond  at  Ephesus  Church  in 
Nevada  County,  Ark.,  of  which  he 
was  a  member  and  which  he  served 
continuously  and  faithfully  until  his 
death.  His  uprightness,  and  integrity 
as  a  citizen,  and  exemplary  and  faith- 
ful life  as  a  minister  gained  for  him 
the  esteem  and  respect  of  his  fellow- 
man,  and  the  confidence  and  sincere 


soon  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of 
Naked  Creek,  Hawk's  Bill  and  Alma 
churches  which  he  served  until  his 
death  September  4,  1890.  His  labors 
were  greatly  blessed,  and  he  was  very 
successful  in  persuading  God's  chil- 
dren to  do  their  duty,  baptized  over 
two  hundred  people  during  his  four 
years'  service  in  Virginia,  and  hun- 
dreds in  Kentucky  and  Ohio.  His  visit 
to  Virginia  seemed  to  be  providential; 
he  coming  just  as  Elder  E.  H.  Burnam 
began  to  introduce  his  Arminian  doc- 
trine and  practices  among  the 
churches,  and  because  he  would  not 
follow  Elder  B.  he  was  accused  of 
creating  the  trouble.  He  remained 
firm,  steadfast  and  immovable  from 
the  dcctrine  and  practice  of  the  Apos- 
tolic church  and  on  his  deathbed 
said:  "I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered, 
and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at 
hand.  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I 
have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept 
the  faith.  And  I  want  the  world  to 
know  that  I  have  died  in  the  faith  I 
have  lived  in."  He  rejoiced  that  "he 
had  a  better  home  prepared  in  heaven 
for  him  than  he  could  have  on  earth.' 
His  only  sorrow  was  at  parting  with 
his  devoted  wife,  and  daughter,  Mary, 
but  he  assured  them,  "The  Lord  will 
provide."  A  short  time  before  he 
breathed  his  last  fleeting  breath,  he  [ 
feebly  raised  his  hand,  pointing 
heavenward  with  his  finger,  and  j 
whispered,  "All  is  well.'  Not  the  | 
twitch  of  a  muscle,  not  one  struggle 
disturbed  this  dying  hour,  but  he 
breathed  his  life  out  sweetly,  and 
yielded  his  spirit  to  the  God  who  gave 
it.  Thus  died  this  righteous  man.  O, 
may  our  death  be  like  this." 


love  of  the  church.  He  was  deep  and 
profound  in  thought  yet  his  gift  was 
such  as  was  adapted  to  the  comfort 
of  babes  in  Christ  as  well  as  to  the 
comfort  and  edification  of  those,  who 
are  of  "full  age."  He  was  widely 
known,  and  served  several  churches 
faithfully,  and  acceptably;  having  to 
ride  long  distances  horseback  to 
serve  them.  While  sick  he  expressed 
no  fears  or  horrors  of  death,  but  de- 
sired "to  depart  and  be  with  Christ." 
His  only  regret  was  to  leave  his  dear 
companion. 


WM.  CUNNINGHAM    LAUCK. 


Lauck,  Elder  Wm.  Cunningham,  of 
Virginia  was  born  in  Winchester, 
March  24,  1805.  His  parents,  Peter 
and  Emily  Lauck  were  of  Lutheran 
persuasion  and  Elder  Lauck  was 
christened  and  catechised  into  this 
creed.  In  1830  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Eliza  J.  Sowers,  daughter  of  Col.  James 
Sowers  of  Clark  County,  Va.,  a  lady  of 
fine  intellect  and  forceful  character. 
His  education  was  in  harmony  with  his 
environment,  was  proficient  in  math- 
ematics and  English  and  well  advanced 
in  Latin  and  Greek.  He  moved  to 
Page  County,  Va.,  in  1830  and  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business,  was  soon 
elected  clerk  of  the  county  and  served 
as  such  for  seventeen  years,  giving  it 
up  to  devote  his  entire  time  to  the  min- 
istry. His  life  of  piety  began  when 
quite  young  and  it  was  on  the  ball 
room  flour  that  the  Lord  sent  the  ar- 
row of  convicticn  to  his  soul.  In  Page 
County  he  heard,  for  the  first  time  an 
Old  School  Baptist  sermon  by  Elder 
A.  C.  Booton,  and  on  seeing  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism  by  immersion  ad- 
ministered, was  so  much  impressed 
with  the  power  of  its  truth  and  exam- 
ple of  loyalty  that  he,  with  his  wife, 
united  with  Mt.  Carmel  Church  in 
Luray  and  were  baptized  by  the  pas- 
tor, Elder  A.  C.  Booton.  At  the  first 
regular  meeting  afterward,  the  pastor 
being  absent,  he  was  called  upon  to 
conduct  the  service  which  he  did  and 
his  gift  being  so  manifested  that  he 
was  soon  licensed,  and  in  1835,  he  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  min- 
istry. Thus  he  put  on  the  armor  of 
God  when  the  Baptist  Church  was  be- 
ing torn  asunder  by  the  leaven  of  Ar- 
minianism  that  had  for  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century  been  working  in 
the  denomination.  This  alluring  tide 
of  religion  that  swept  so  many  minis- 
ters into  the  popular  current  could 
not  move  him.  He  chose  rather  to  suf- 
fer  affliction  with   the   people  of  God 


160 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for 
a  season.  Elder  Lauck  was  one  of  the 
most  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment in  his  day.  His  manner  was  im- 
pressive, his  language  chaste,  flowery 
and  devotional.   In  his   early  ministry 
he  served  Thum  Run,  Gourdine   Chest- 
nut Fork,  Roberson  River  and  Battle 
Run.   Later   on  he  gave   up   the   most 
distant  ones  and  his  last  clays  served 
Hawk's   Bill   and   Big   Spring,   but   re- 
tained Roberson  River  and  Battle  Run  I 
for    forty    years,      faithfully      serving  j 
these  churches  and  several  times  each 
month,    crossing,    by    private    convey-  \ 
ance,  the  Blue  Ridge  mountains  in  all 
kinds   of  weather    to   fill   his   appoint-  ; 
ments.    He   was   a   kind   husband   and  S 
•wise  father   and  brought  up   his   chil-  ; 
dren  in  the  nuture  and  admonition  of  ! 
the   Lord.    Three    of   them — viz, — 'Mrs. 
Emily  Booton — (widow  of  Elder  J.  K.  | 
Booton)    and  Mrs.  Lucy  G.  Brumback 
of  Virginia,   and   Mr-   T.   H    Lauck   of 
Texas,    survive   him   and    are    devoted 
members  of  their  father's  church  and 
love  the  doctrine  and  practice  so  ably 
defended    by    him.    He    fell    asleep    in 
Jesus,    in    the    full    triumph    of    faith, 
February  6,  1875. 


JOSHUA    LAWRENCE. 

Lawrence,  Elder  Joshua  was  a  native 
of  North  Carolina.  He  was  a  great  sin- 
ner but  found  a  great  Saviour,  who  call- 
ed him  by  His  grace  and  made  him  one 
of  the  ablest  and  boldest  ministers  of 
the  New  Testament  in  modern  times. 
For  more  than  forty  years  he  advo- 
cated powerfully  and  fearlessly,  both 
from  pulpit  and  press,  liberty  of  con- 
science, the  specialty,  spirituality  and 
efficacy  of  God's  salvation,  and  the 
unscripturalness  and  corruption  of  all 
the  money-based  religious  institutions 
of  the  nineteenth  century  notwith- 
standing storms  of  slander  and  vitup- 
eration, and  threats  against  his  life, 
and,  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life, 
great  physical  debility  and  suffering. 
He  was  p  ofoundly  acquainted  with 
the  scripture  and  church  history.  Few 
men  could  command  larger  audiences, 
or  so  entertain  the  attention  of  hear- 
ers. He  was  sometimes  known,  while 
asleep,  to  give  out  a  hymn,  sing,  pray 
and  preach  a  long  sermon,  without  re- 
membering anything  of  it  when  he 
awoke.  He  was  pastor  of  several 
churches.  His  church  at  Tarboro  ex- 
perienced in  his  last  days,  a  glorious 
revival  for  which  he  had  long  prayed. 
He  was  born  in  Edgecombe  County, 
September    10,    1778    and    died   in   the 


same  county,  January  23,  1843-  was 
reared  on  a  farm  and  had  not  the  ad- 
vantages of  a  liberal  education,  united 
with  the  church  in  early  manhood  and 
began  preaching  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Kehu- 
kee  Association  which  was  organized 
in  1765  and  which  never  favored  mod- 
ern missionnsm  and  was  present  at 
this  association  held  at  Log  Chapel  in 
Martin  County  in  the  year  1803  when 
the  query  in  reference  to  missions, 
money-based  societies,  etc.,  was  intro- 
duecd  by  Elder  Martin  Ross.  The  sub- 
ject matter  of  this  query  continued  to 
be  a  subject  of  contention  which  he 
opposed  with  all  his  eloquence  and 
ability  until  it  ended  in  the  unhappy 
and  final  division  among  the  Baptists 
of  this  state  in  the  year  1827.  In  this 
division  he  took  a  bold  stand  in  de- 
fense of  the  ancient  practice  of  the 
Baptists  and  sided  with  what  is  now 
known  as  the  Primitive  Baptists  and 
ever  remained  one.  Though  his  ene- 
mies have  endeavored  to  injure  his 
strong  and  noble  character  and  great 
influence  as  a  preacher  and  writer  by 
reporting  that  before  he  died  he  re- 
nounced the  doctrine  he  had  preached, 
yet  an  account  of  his  sickness  and 
death  written  by  Elder  R  D.  Hart  who 
was  his  yoke-fellow  in  the  gospel  fully 
denies  and  proves  untrue  such  slander- 
ous reports.  On  his  death  bed  he  said 
he  had  never  been  more  fully  estab- 
lished in  the  doctrine  and  practice  for 
which  he  had  for  forty  years  contend- 
ed, and  only  wished  he  could  have 
preached  it  more. 


M.    T.    LAWRENCE. 

Lawrence,  Elder  M.  T.,  of  Hamilton, 
N.  C,  was  born  in  Edgecombe  County, 
N.  C,  July  23,  1848.  He  is  the  son  of 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


161 


Joshua  L.  and  Harriett  (Mays)  Law- 
.rence,  and  grandson  of  Elder  Joshua 
Lawrence,  a  Primitive  Baptist  minis- 
ter of  great  ability.  At  an  early  age 
he  was  convicted  of  sin  and  made  to 
feel  his  lost  and  ruined  state  by  na- 
ture. He  felt,  however,  that  he  could 
make  peace  with  God  by  good  works 
when  it  was  more  convenient  for  him 
to.  do  so.  But  in  this  he  was  mistaken. 
His  troubles  on  account  of  sin  grew 
worse — coming  on  him  like  the  winds 
and  increasing  in  strength  from  a 
gentle  breeze  to  a  gale.  He  was,  in 
1873,  relieved  of  this  heavy  burden  in 
the  same  way — decreasing  in  a  gen- 
tle^  unobserved  manner — luntil  he 
found  a  new  hope  in  his  heart  and 
a  new  song  in  his  mouth — even 
praises  unti  Jesus,  love  for  God  and 
love  for  His  people  sprang  up,  and  he 
united  with  the  church  at  Conoho,  in 
1873,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  John 
W.  Purvis.  Before  he  united  with  the 
church  he  had  impressions  to  prgach 
Jesus,  was  licensed  in  1878,  and  or- 
dained in  1880.  Is  now  pastor  of  four 
churches  near  his  home,  is  clerk  of 
the  Kehukee  Association,  is  a  useful 
man,  a  gifted  preacher,  a  good  neigh- 
bor and  greatly  loved  by  his  churches. 


ROBT.  C     LEACHMAN. 

Leachman,  Elder  Robt.  C.  was  born 
January  1811,  and  died  February  19, 
1869,  at  bis  home  in  Manassas,  Va.  He 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Samuel  Trott 
in  the  fellowship  of  the  Bethlehem 
Church  in  about  the  year  1837  was  li- 
censed to  preach  the  gospel  in  1838, 
and  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  at  Bethlehem  in  1839.  During 
all  his  life,  except  what  time  he  was 


driven  from  his  home  during  the  late 
war_  he  continued  to  hold  his  residence 
within  five  miles  of  the  place  of  his 
birth.  Elder  Gilbert  Beebe  wrote  of 
him:  "As  a  minister  of  the  gospel  he 
was  truly  one  of  Zion's  sons,  'that  had 
grown  up  in  his  youth.'  From  the  time 
of  his  connection  with  the  church  of 
God  no  blemish  has  soiled  his  charac- 
ter. As  an  humble,  devoted  follower 
of  the  Lamb  and  servant  of  the  church, 
no  one  could  be  more  devoted  or  inde- 
fatigable. Regardless  of  his  own  ease 
or  pecuniary  interests,  he  labored 
more  abundantly  than  any  of  his  con- 
temporaries. All  who  were  acquainted 
with  him  concede  that  his  gifts  for  the 
ministry  were  of  the  very  highest  or- 
der. His  manner  was  bold  and  fearless 
of  man,  and  at  the  same  time,  he  was 
meek,  humble  and  tender  in  his  feel- 
ings. His  gift  for  argument,  illustra- 
tion and  elucidation  of  the  doctrine 
were  powerful,  clear  and  unanswera- 
ble, while  his  address  was  easy  and  re- 
markably engaging.  Thousands,  even 
of  those  who  did  not  love  the  doc- 
trine, were  fond  of  hearing  him  and 
respected  him  for  his  talent,  while 
they  had  no  relish  for  the  truth  he  so 
forcibly  proclaimed. 


G  W.   LEE. 


Lee,  Elder  G.  W.  (1842-1908),  of 
McKinzee,  Ala.,  was  devoted  to  his 
brethren  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  His 
unabating  zeal  and  labor  of  love  won 
and  preserved  unto  him  the  unshaken 
confidence  and  esteem  of  his  breth- 
ren. He  was  a  member  of  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Church  forty-four  years 
and  was  for  thirty-seven  years  the 
pastor  of  his  home  church  (Eliza- 
beth). This  speaks  for  his  worth  and 
integrity  as  a  Baptist  and  minister. 
They  loved  him  at  his  death  as  they 
did  in  his  early  ministerial  life.  Elder 
Lee,  served  in  the  Confederate  army 
sustaining,  there,  in  one  of  its  heated 
battles,  the  loss  of  his  right  arm. 
This,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  together 
with  his  poverty  would  have  driven 
many  to  despair;  but  his  untarnished 
character  backed  by  unusual  energy, 
and  we  would  confidentially  add,  the 
providences  of  God,  brought  to  him 
many  unexpected  and  unsought  fav- 
ors. There  was  never  a  man  tnat 
commanded  higher  respect  from  those 
who  knew  him,  and  that  acquaintance, 
especially  in  South  Alabama,  was 
very  extensive.  He  was  twice  elected 
to  the  state  legislature,  and  held  in 
his  life  many  offices  of  public  trust  to 


162 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


his  own  credit  and  satisfaction  of  his 
constituents.  His  life  of  public  trust 
was  not  due  to  his  early  educational 
advantages,  but  to  his  high  traits  of 
character,  for  he  was  a  self-made  man 
in  that  respect.  While  he  suffered 
many  afflictions  and  deprivations, 
still  he  was  wonderfully  blessed 
through  life,  financially,  so  that  he 
■could  have,  by  c'ovetousness,  died 
wealthy.  But  his  philanthropic  heart 
so  filled  with  devotion  to  his  fellow- 
man  and  especially  to  his  brethren, 
brought  him  to  his  journey's  end  with 
only  a  moderately  comfortable  sup- 
port, which  was  all  he  seemed  to  de- 
sire. 


HORACE    H.   LEFFERTS. 

Lefferts,  Elder  Horace  H.,  of  War- 
wick, N.  Y.,  son  of  Geo.  W.  and  Sarah 
P.  Lefferts,  who  were  members  of 
Southampton  Old  School  Baptist 
Church,  was  born  in  Bucks  County, 
Pa.,  April  23,  1879.  In  his  seventeenth 
year  of  age,  while  a  student  at  the 
West  Chester  State  Normal  School 
preparing  for  the  profession  of  teach- 
ing, he  was  given  a  sweet  hope  in 
Jesus,  and  four  years  later,  December, 
1900,  united  with  Southampton  Old 
School  Baptist  Church  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  F.  A.  Chick,  the  pastor, 
Elder  S.  H.  Durand  being  ill  at  the 
time  and  thus  unable  to  administer  the 
ordinance.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
in  April,  1902,  and  ordained  June  5, 
1903.  In  September,  1903  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Ella  Adams,  daughter  of 
the  late  Elder  William  Adams,  of  near 
Covington,  Ga.  In  December,  1905,  he 
was  called  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the 
Old  School  Baptist  Church  at  War- 
wick,  N.   Y.,   accepted   in  April,   1906, 


and  moved  there  the  following  year 
where  he  still  resides.  Elder  Lef- 
ferts was  in  September,  1908,  called  to 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  churches  at 
Frying  Pan,  Va.,  New  Valley,  Va._  and 
Mill  Creek  W.  Va,,  all  formerly  served 
by  the  late  Elder  E.  V.  White  and  now 
(January,  1909)  has  under  considera- 
tion this  call.  He  is  a  young,  zealous 
and  gifted  soldier  of  Jesus,  satisfied 
with  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  the 
Apostolic  Church  and  has  served  as 
Moderator  of  the  Warwick  Old  School 
Baptist  Association. 


WM.   HENRY   LEGGETT. 

Leggett,  Elder  Wi.  Henry,  of  Scot- 
land Neck.,  N.  C,  son  of  Noah  and 
Martha  (Brodley)  Leggett,  was  born 
in  Edgecombe  County,  N.  C,  Febru- 
ary 24,  1844.  His  opportunities  for  an 
education  were  limited,  though  by 
close  observation  and  the  application 
of  a  portion  of  his  time  to  reading  he 
became  a  man  of  general  information. 
Early  in  life  he  was  convicted  of  sin, 
and  some  time  afterwards  was  given 
a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus,  and  in  May, 
1874,  united  with  Williams  Church 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  J  W.  John- 
son. The  following  year  he  was  mar- 
ried to  'Miss  Bettie  Pittman  who  has 
proven  a  true  companion.  About  the 
year  1884  he  bought,  and  moved  on 
a  farm,  near  Deep  Creek  Church  in 
Halifax  County,  N  C,  and  moved  his 
membership  to  this  church.  Soon 
afterwards  he  was  ordained  deacon, 
and  in  1889  was  ordained  to  the  min- 
isterial work  by  Elders  W.  F.  Staton 
and  W.  B.  Strickland.  Elder  Leggett 
is  a  'meek,  humble  and  lovely  brother 
and  God  has  blessed  his  ministry  to 
the  comfort  of  many  of  His  people 


JOHN   LELAND. 

Leland,  Elder  John  (1754-1841),  a 
native  of  Grafton,  Mass.,  was  brought 
under  conviction  for  sin  and  also  con- 
cerned in  regard  to  the  ministry  in  his 
eighteenth  year,  experienced  a  hope 
in  Christ  and  was  baptized  and  began 
to  exercise  in  public  in  his  twentieth 
year,  was  married  in  his  twenty-sec- 
ond year,  and,  during  the  sixty-seven 
years  of  his  ministry  labored  with  his 
own  hands,  never  soliciting  money  for 
himself,  went  forth  entirely  undirected 
and  unsupported  by  missionary  socie- 
ties or  funds,  preached  from  four  to 
fourteen  times  a  week,  from  Massa- 
chusetts  to  South  Carolina,    traveling 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


163 


more  than  a  thousand  miles,  sometimes 
on  foot,  but  mostly  on  horseback,  bap- 
tized 1,525  persons  on  a  creditable 
profession  of  faith,  only  one  or  two  of 
whom  ever  attended  Sunday  schools, 
faithfully  preached  the  word  unmixed 
with  the  doctrines  and  commandments 
of  men,  not  for  filthy  lucre,  but  of  a 
ready  mind,  zealously  opposed  Sunday 
schools,  theological  seminaries,  a  sal- 
aried ministry  and  moneyed  religious 


JOHN   LELAND 

institutions  endured  great  and  numer- 
ous persecutions,  was  an  earnest  advo- 
cate of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  wrote 
about  thirty  pamphlets  and  many 
hymns,  and,  it  is  said  could  never 
preach  without  getting  into  the  third 
chapter  of  John  and  declaring  the  nec- 
essity of  being  born  again.  He 
preached  in  four  hundred  and  thirty- 
six  meeting-houses,  thirty-seven  court 
houses,  several  capitals,  academies  and 
school  houses,  barns,  tobacco  houses, 
dwelling  houses  and  many  hundreds 
of  times  on  stages  in  the  open  air.  In 
1835,  after  the  division  with  the  New 
School  Baptists,  he  wrote  "I  have  been 
preaching  sixty  years  to  convince  men 
that  human  powers  were  too  degener- 
ate to  effect  a  change  of  heart  by  self- 
exertion,  and  all  the  revivals  of  relig- 
ion that  I  have  seen  have  substantially 
accorded  with  that  sentiment."  In 
1832  he  wrote  to  the  Signs  of  the 
Times:  "In  these  days  of  novelty,  we 
are  frequently  addressed  from  the  pul- 
pit as  follows:  'Professors  of  religion, 
you  stand  in  the  way  of  God  and  sin- 
ners, give  up  your  old  hope  and  come 
now  into  the  work  God  cannot  convert 
sinners  while  you  are  stumbling  blocks 
in  the  way.  Sinners  are  stumbling 
over  you  into  hell.  Profane  sinners,  I 
call  upon  you  to  flee  from  the  wrath, 


to  come,  come  this  minute  and  give 
your  heart  to  God,  or  you  will  seal 
your  damnation.  God  has  given  you 
the  power,  and  will  damn  you  if  you  do 
not  use  it.  God  has  done  all  He  can, 
and  will  do  no  more.  Look  not  for  a 
change  of  heart;  a  change  of  purpose 
is  all  that  is  necessary.  "Now,"  says 
Leland,  "I  have  not  so  learned  Christ. 
I  do  not  understand  the  scriptures  in 
that  light.  It  is  not  the  voice  of  my  be- 
loved. It  sounds  like  the  voice  of  a 
stranger  and  I  dare  not  follow  it.  The 
missionary  establishment,  in  its  va- 
rious departments,  is  a  stupendous  in- 
stitution. Literary  and  theological 
schools,  Bible  and  tract  societies,  for- 
eign and  domestic  missions,  general, 
state,  county  and  district  conventions, 
Sunday  School  unions,  etc.,  are  all  in- 
cluded in  it.  To  keep  it  in  motion, 
missionary  boards,  presidents,  treasur- 
ers, corresponding  secretaries,  agents, 
printers,  binders,  teachers,  runners, 
collectors,  mendicants,  etc.,  are  all  in 
requisition.  This  machinery  is  pro- 
pelled by  steam  (money)  and  is  not 
run  by  the  wind  of  'Heaven.  Sunday 
schools  are  very  fashionable  and  are 
considered  by  many  as  the  great  lock- 
link  which  unites  nature  and  grace. '  'In 
183G  he  wrote:  "Would  not  a  new  trans- 
lation cf  some  passages  in  the  New 
Testament,  according  to  our  present 
dialect  and  customs  be  acceptable? 
In  Matt.,  x,  7,  read  thus,  'And  as  ye  go 
preach  to  the  people,  your  money  is  es- 
sential to  the  salvation  of  sinners,  and 
therefore,  form  into  societies,  and  use 
all  devisable  means  collect  money  for 
the  Lord's  treasury;  for  the  millen- 
nium is  at  hand.  In  mark  X:16  read, 
He  that  has  attended  Sunday  schools, 
had  his  mind  informed  by  tracts,  con- 
tributed to  support  missions,  and 
joined  in  societies  to  support  benevo- 
lent institutions,  shall  be  saved;  the 
rest  shall  be  damned.'  I  cannot  in  my 
brief  space,  mention  but  a  few  inci- 
dents in  this  great  man's  life,  and  call 
attention  to  but  a  little  of  his  writing, 
but  hope  enough  is  given  for  the  read- 
er to  clearly  see  where  he  stood  in 
the  division  in  1832.  The  New  School 
Baptists  claim  him,  but  their  claims 
are  entirely  without  foundation.  The 
reader  is  referred  to  Hassell's  History 
pages  G22-G28,  and  to  the  history  of 
his  life  by  Miss  L.  F.  Green,  if  he 
should  wish  to  further  pursue  the 
study  of  Elder  Leland's   history. 


POSEY  G.  LESTER. 

Lester,  Elder  Posey  G.,  of  Floyd, 
Va.,  was  born  in  Floyd  County,  Va., 
MJarch  12,  1850.  He  is  a  son  of  Wim. 


164 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


T.  and  Mary  M.  Lester.  There  were 
fourteen  children,  nine  of  whom 
grew  to  mature  years.  The  moderatt 
estate  of  Elder  Lester's  parents  to- 
gether with  the  ravages  of  the  Civil 
war  greatly  limited  his  opportunities 
in  early  life,  rendering  his  literal  suc- 
cess largely  due  to  a  persistent  ap- 
plication of  his  personal  energies  to 
the  problems  of  life  which  confronted 
him.  The  inherent  qualities  which 
have  brought  him  into  the  literal 
sphere  of  life  which  he  occupies  and 


POSEY  G.    LESTER 

maintains  he  regards  and  esteems  as 
an  heritage  from  the  life  and  charac- 
ter of  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Simmons  and  daughter  of  Elder 
Thos.  W.  Simmons.  His  early  avoca- 
tion was  teaching  vocal  and  literary 
schools.  In  June,  1873,  he  professed  a 
hope  in  Christ  and  joined  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Church  at  White  Oak 
Grove  and  was  baptized  by  Eider 
Amos  Dickerson.  In  December  follow- 
ing he  began  to  exercise  his  minis- 
terial gift,  and  in  October,  187G,  was 
ordained.  For  several  years  he  travel- 
ed locally  and  taught  literally  and 
preached  the  gospel  according  as  his 
gift  made  room  for  him.  Finally  he 
left  off  teaching  and  for  several  years 
devoted  his  entire  time  in  traveling 
and  preaching  in  more  or  less  of  twen- 
ty-one of  the  states  and  in  Ontario, 
Canada.  He  has  traveled  as  much  as 
13,000  miles  in  a  single  year  for  the 
purpose  of  preaching  Jesus,  yet  our 
modern  missionary  friends  with  ap- 
parently more  zeal  and  less  knowl- 
edge, say  we  cppose  missionary  work. 
We  advocate  and  practice  the  Bible 
plan.  Since  18S3  Elder  Lester  has 
been  Associate  Editor  of  Zion's  Land- 
mark.     In    1886    he    and    Elder    S.    H. 


Derand  compiled  and  published  a  very 
acceptable  and  sound  Hymn  and  Tune 
Book  now  extensively  in  use  among 
our  people  in  many  sections  of  the 
country.  In  1888  in  his  absence  and 
without  solicitation  from  him,  he 
was  nominated  by  the  Democratic 
party  to  represent  the  people  of 
his — the  Fifth — district  of  Virginia, 
in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States, 
served  in  the  Fifty-first  and  Fifty-sec- 
ond Congresses.  During  this  service  he 
preached  frequently  in  Washington 
and  in  other  cities  and  in  the 
churches  in  the  adjoining  sections. 
He  declined  to  stand  for  the  third 
nomination,  preferring  to  devote 
more  of  his  time  to  his  minis- 
terial work.  Since  1901  Elder  Lester 
has  served  as  clerk  of  the  Smith's 
River  Association,  is  the  pastor  of 
three  churches  and  in  part  supplies 
others,  is  an  able  preacher,  an  excel- 
lent singer,  beloved  by  his  people,  and 
highly  esteemed  by  the  citizenship 
among  whom  he  has  ever  lived  and 
served  in  various  positions  of  honor 
and  trust  to  wbich  they  have  assigned 
him. 


H.    M.    LESTER. 

Lester,  Elder  H.  M.,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, was  born  in  MicDowell  County, 
W.  Va.,  March  10,  1830;  professed  a 
hope  in  Jesus  and  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  in  his  twen- 
ty-seventh year  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Geo.  Sizemore.  Soon  he  was  im- 
pressed with  the  duty  of  preaching 
Jesus,  but  Jonah-like,  tried  to  flee 
from  the  Lord.  He  moved  to  Ohio, 
but  not  from  his  impression.  Soon  he 
returned  to  his  native  state,  but  could 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


165 


find  no  rest.  He  never  attended 
school  but  eight  days  and  having  but. 
little  education  he  felt  that  he  could 
not  preach.  But  in  the  school  of  ex- 
perience and  in  the  "Whale  College" 
he  became  very  proficient,  was  made 
willing  to  bear  the  yoke,  began 
preaching  and  was  soon  ordained  and 
for  forty-one  years  was  a  faithful  min- 
ister His  services  were  mainly  con- 
fined to  the  churches  in  ihe  Elk  Horn 
Association  though  he  traveled  some 
in  other  sections  He  was  a  great  lover 
of  peace  and  well  versed  in  the  Scrip- 
tures. Salvation  by  grace  was  his 
theme  in  life  and  his  solace  in  death. 
He  died  in  the  full  triumph  of  a  living 
faith  August  27,  1901. 


GEO.  W.   LEWIS. 

Lewis,  Elder  Geo.  W..  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Duboise 
County,  Ind.,  May  1,  1S47,  and  died  at 
French  Lick,  Ind.,  January  6,  1907.  At 
an  early  age  he  became  greatly  exer- 
cised in  mind  and  was  made  to  see  his 
lost  and  ruined  condition  by  reason 
of  sin,  and  finally  realized  a  sweet 
hope  in  a  Redeemers'  love.  He  united 
with  the  Baptists  known  as  the  Rich- 
land Baptists  in  the  year  1879.  He  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry 
in  1888.  Becoming  dissatisfied  with 
this  people,  he  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptists  at  Bethlehem  Church,  at 
French  Lick,  Ind.,  in  the  year  1894,  of 
which  church  he  remained  a  devoted 
member  until  death.  He  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  May_ 
1897.  Elder  Lewis  was  a  devoted 
christian,  a  faithful  minister  of  the 
gospel,  a  kind  and  loving  husband  and 
father,  a  good  neighbor  and  a  worthy 
citizen,  an  humble,  unpretentious  man ; 
these  characteristics  marked  his 
course  as  he  journeyed  through  life, 
loved  respected  by  all  with  whom  he 
came  in  contact.  He  died  as  he  lived, 
trusting  alone  in  the  Lord. 


W.   W.    LEWIS. 

Lewis,  Elder  W.  W.,  of  Alabama; 
born  in  Montgomery  County,  Ala,  Au- 
gust 10,  184G,  and  died  February  12, 
1895.  He  was  a  man  full  of  vivacity, 
and  more  than  ordinary  energy,  pos- 
sessing a  jovial  nature,  he  was  al- 
ways cheerful.  After  his  return  from 
the  war  in  1865,  it  pleased  the  Lord 
to  arrest  him  in  his  sinful  career,  by 
showing  him  the  exceeding  sinfulness 
of  his  heart,  and  ultimately  to  reveal 


Himself  in  the  riches  of  His  grace  to 
his  great  joy,  and  everlasting  conso- 
lation. He  united  with  the  church  at 
Bethel,  Montgomery  County,  Ala, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  B.  E.  Mul- 
lens of  Tennessee,  and  in  1878  was 
liberated  by  his  church  to  preach,  and 
was  soon  after  ordained,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  he  had  the  care  of 
four  churches,  and  was  faithful  to  his 
charges.  He  died  suddenly  and  in  full 
triumph  of  faith. 


DAVID    LILLY. 

Lilly,  Elder  David,  was  born  in 
Mercer  County,  West  Virginia,  April 
14,  1S22,  and  died  at  his  home  near 
Gales  Creek,  Washington  County, 
Ore.,  May  9,  1900,  Brother  Lilley  pro- 
fessed a  hope  in  Christ  in  his  early 
manhood,  and  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  called  the  Old  Camp 
Creek  church  in  Mercer  County,  W. 
Va.,  He  was  ordained  to  the  full  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry  about  1S84,  and 
served  churches  until  his  death  He 
was  married  four  times  and  was  the 
father  of  eighteen  children — nine  boys 
and  nine  girls.  He  moved  with  his 
family  from  Virginia  to  Wilson  Coun- 
ty, Kan,  in  the  Fall  of  1875;  lived 
there  nine  years;  moved  from  Kansas 
to  Oregon  in  the  Spring  of  1884,  and 
settled  near  Gales  Creek,  in  Washing- 
ton County,  where  he  resided  until 
death.  Elder  Lilley  died  as  he  lived, 
a  loving,  faithful,  devoted  Christian, 
earnestly  contending  for  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints.  Salva- 
tion by  grace  and  grace  alone  was  his 
theme.  


LINE. 


Line,   Elder  W.   L#,  of  LaFountaine, 
Ind.,  was  born  near  his  present  home, 


166 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


June  14,  1851.  His  parents'  home  was 
a  home  for  Baptists  and  his  earliest 
recollections  are  those  of  hearing 
christian  people  talk  of  their  experi- 
ences, hope  in  Jesus,  etc.  He  was,  in 
his  fifteenth  year  convicted  of  sin  while 
attending  a  revival  meeting.  His  young 
associates  would  banter  each  other  to 
join  the  church  while  his  heart  consid- 
ered it  mockery.  During  this  period 
he  also  attended  Baptist  meetings  and 
while  he  could  not  understand  the  doc- 
trine they  preached  yet  he  was  com- 
forted when  they  preached  experimen- 
tally, and  on  February  16,  1867,  under 
the  preaching  of  Elder  John  A.  Thomp- 
son he  was  encouraged  to  take  up  the 
Cross.  Soon  he  felt  impressed  to 
preach  the  sweet  gospel  to  others  but 
being  a  seventeen  year  old  boy  he  felt 
too  young  and  otherwise  unqaulified, 
and  it  was  May,  1878,  before  he  was 
ordained.  He  has  since  had  the  care 
of  from  two  to  four  churches.  In  Nov- 
ember, 1887,  he  was  married  to  Miss  E. 
A.  McNaughton  of  Ohio,  who  has  not 
only  been  a  keeper  at  home  and  a  help- 
meet in  the  fullest  sense^  but  has  also 
encouraged  her  husband  to  be  faithful 
to  the  churches  and  go  at  duty's  call. 
Elder  Line  is  an  able  minister  and 
highly  esteemed  by  his  brethren  for 
his  faithful  labors  in  the  cause  of 
truth. 

M.   L.   LIPP. 


Lipp,  Elder  M.  L.,  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  November  ,  1815,  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Davenport  in  1835, 
and  in  1837  moved  to  Russell  County, 
Va.,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in 
1894.  He  professed  a  hope  in  Christ 
in  1839,  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptist,  and  was  in  a  few  years  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry, and  during  his  life  served  sev- 
eral churches,  and  traveled  and 
preached  in  the  states  of  Virginia, 
Kentucky,  North  Carolina  and  Ten- 
nessee. In  1853  he  was  elected  clerk  of 
court  of  Wise  County,  Virginia,  and 
served  for  twelve  years;  and  in  1868 
was  elected  to  the  legislature  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  also,  for  several  years, 
Moderator  of  Stoney  Creek  Associa- 
tion, and  in  all  the  positions  of  re- 
sponsibility and  honor  in  which,  he 
served  he  ever  proved  faithful  to  the 
cause  of  truth  as  he  understood  it, 
and  left  a  good  name  upon  the  pages 
of  history. 

WM.    LIPPINCOTT. 

Lippincott,  Elder  Wm.,  was  born  in 
Licking  County,  Ohio,  October  28,  1819, 
departed    this    life    in    Columbus,    O., 


October  18,  1905.  It  can  well  be  said 
of  him  he  was  conscientious  and  al- 
ways felt  to  rejoice  in  the  sweet  spirit 
which  manifests  a  child  of  God.  His 
labors  among  the  saints  were  always 
appreciated,  and  while  he  rests  from 
them,  his  works  do  follow  him.  The 
gospel  that  he  preached  bore  sweet 
evidence  that  he  neither  received  nor 
learned  it  of  man,  but  by  revelation  of 
Jesus  Christ.  In  its  proclamation  the 
sheep  and  lambs  were  fed,  and  the  old 
brother  will  live  in  the  memory  of  those 
who  believe  in  God  and  Christ.  He 
joined  the  Baptists  in  May,  1855  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  James  Witham. 
In  January,  1870  he  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry  and  for  thirty- 
five  years  was  a  faithful  soldier  of 
Jesus. 


J.    B.    LITTLE. 

Little,  Elder  J.  B.,  of  Rison,  Ark., 
was  born  in  Union  County,  N.  C , 
July  16,  1835,  convicted  of  sin  and 
saw  his  just  condemnation  under  the 
law  in  his  seventeenth  year,  and  for 
several  years  felt  to  be  without  God 
and  without  hope.  But  in  July,  1860, 
he  was  given  hope  in  Jesus  as  his  sin 
bearer  and  afterwards  united  with 
Cane  Creek  Church  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  N.  M.  Goodrich.  Elder  Little 
tells  how  he  began  preaching  in  the 
following  words:  "We  went  in  the 
house,  he  made  a  little  talk  and  sang 
and  prayed.  He  called  on  me  I  got  up 
and  told  the  brethren  I  wanted  to  talk 
a  little  about  what  Jesus  came  to  do. 
I  did  not  think  of  anything  but  the 
subject  until  I  saw  all  the  brethren 
crying.  The  first  thing  I  thought  of 
was  now  you  have  exposed  your  igno- 
rance, disgraced  the  Old  Baptists, 
they  are  sorry  for  you  and  crying 
about  it.  I  closed  abruptly  I  guess, 
started  out  of  the  house,  I  wanted  to 
get  out  of  company,  when  one  of  the 
brethren  near  the  door,  said  to  me, 
'How  long  did  you  talk?'  I  said,  'fif- 
teen minutes  I  guess;"  he  said,  "if 
my  watch  tells  the  truth,  you  talked 
an  hour  and  five  minutes.'  I  said 
'your  watch  didn't  tell  the  truth.' 
From  th-en  until  now  I  have  been 
trying  to  preach,  and  sometimes  try- 
ing to  quit.  Have  made  seemingly 
many  failures,  but  it  don't  hurt  so 
bad  now  as  it  did  in  my  young  days 
in  the  ministry."  Elder  Little  was  or- 
dained in  August,  1872,  has  since  had 
the  care  of  churches,  and  is  a  faithful 
loyal  servant  of  the  Master. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


167 


SINGLETON    C.    LITTLE. 

Little,  Elder  Singleton  C,  of.  Big 
Lick,  N.  C,  was  born  in  Stanly  Coun- 
ty, N  C,  January  5,  1823,  grew  up  to 
manhood  a  good,  moral  man;  and 
when  blest  with  a  hope,  led  a  most 
pious  life  and  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church.  Feeling  his  unworthi- 
ness,  he  labored  under  the  impres- 
sions to  preach  for  eighteen  years  be- 
fore he  entered  upon  such  duty.  He 
was  ordained  about  18G8,  and  has  giv- 
en thirty-nine  years  of  his  life  to  the 
service  of  the  gospel  ministry  A  man 
of  robust  build,  being  well  preserved 
in  health  and  strength  till  late  years 
he  has  attended  a  number  of  churches 
regularly  until  age  and  infirmity  set 
in.  Elder  Little  is  an  able  defender  of- 
Primitive  and  Apostolic  doctrine,  be- 
ing most  convincing,  eloquent  and 
dignified  in  his  discourses  He  is  just- 
ly considered  one  of  our  most  able 
ministers.  Before  becoming  infirm  he 
was  for  a  long  term  of  years  the  mod- 
erator of  the  Bear  Creek  Association. 


ISAAC  LONG. 

Long,  Elder  Isaac,  of  Tennessee,  who 
died  in  1856,  was  born  in  the  state  of 
Virginia,  where  it  pleased  the  Lord  to 
call  him  out  of  nature's  darkness  unto 
his  marvelous  light  and  the  glorious 
liberties  of  the  children  of  God.  He 
joined  the  Baptist  Church  of  Christ 
while  young  and  soon  was  called  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  and  about  fifty 
years  of  his  life  was  spent  in  preaching 
the  everlasting  gospel  of  the  Son  of 
God.  His  theme  was  free  grace  and 
experimental  religion.  He  was  a  faith- 
ful herald  of  the  Cross. 


the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  to 
a  waiting  and  dying  world.  He  was 
confined  to  his  room  about  three 
years  with  what  doctors  called  nerv- 
ous prostration,  but  he  bore  his  afflic- 
tion with  great  patience.  When  any  of 
his  brethren  would  come  to  see  him 
his  whole  theme  was  God  and  godli- 
ness, saying  that  his  time  was  near  at 
hand  and  that  he  longed  to  see  the 
summons  come.  Elder  Lord  was  a 
man  that  stood  well  among  his  breth- 
ren and  also  with  the  people  at  large, 
and  was  well  known  for  his  pious 
walk  and  Christian  fortitude 


J.  W.   LORD. 

Lord,  Elder  J,  W„  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  born  in  Baldwin 
County,  Ga.,  August  12,  1828.  When 
he  grew  to  manhood  he  moved  to  Ap- 
pling County,  about  the  year  1870,  and 
there  remained  until  his  death  on 
June  29,  1903  Elder  Lord  was  raised 
by  'Methodist  parents,  and  joined  the 
Methodist  Church  when  quite  young, 
and  remained  with  them  until  about 
the  year  18G3,  when  he  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church,  and  there 
remained  a  faithful  member  and  min- 
ister of  the  gospel  until  death  He  was 
ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry  in 
1877,  and  went  far  and  near  preaching 


HENRY    LOUTHAN. 

Louthan,  Elder  Henry,  of  Missouri. 
The  editor  regrets  that  a  complete 
sketch  of  this  worthy  and  highly  es- 
teemed minister  could  not  be  secured. 
The  following  is  taken  from  Elder 
Cash's  book  published  in  1896:  "He 
was  born  in  Virginia  and  began  preach- 
ing at  the  age  of  nineteen.  He  moved 
to  Missouri  in  an  early  day  and  settled 
in  Shelby  County,  near  Lunies  Creek 
Church.  Later  he  moved  to  Palmyra, 
Mo.,  and  at  his  death  endowed  the 
church  at  that  place  for  the  benefit  of 
future  pastors.  He  was  uncompromis- 
ing in  doctrine,  ready  to  help  the  needy 
and  was  held  in  great  respect  by  the 
churches. 


MICHAEL    LOVERIDGE. 

Loveridge,      Elder     Michael,  of  Ore- 
gon,  was   born   in    North   Curry,   Sum- 


168 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


merset  Shire,  England,  April  17,  1803, 
and  there  joined  the  Strict  Baptists. 
He  came  to  Illinois  and  from  there 
went  to  the   state  of  Oregon  in   1865 


^ft&» 


MICHAEL   LOVERIDGE 


and  was  there  ordained  the  following 
year  in  May.  He  was  a  lover  of  good 
men  and  peace  in  the  churches.  He 
died  December  20,  18S0. 


GEORGE    LOY. 

Loy,   Elder  George    (1817-1875).  The 

subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Hainsline  County,  W.  Va.  He  was  rais- 
ed a  Methodist  but  not  being  satisfied 
with  their  doctrine  and  practice  he 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  John  Ar- 
nold. He  commenced  preaching  about 


the  year  of  1851  and  was  later  ordain- 
ed by  Elders  John  Arnold  and  Joseph 
Ruckman.  During  his  long  service  in 
the  Master's  vineyard  he  traveled  and 
preached  in  West  Virginia,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland  and  Virginia,  and  on 
his  visits  in  Virginia  associated  with 
Elders  Wm.  Lauck,  Ambrose  Booton, 
Buck,  Mclntuff,  Correll,  Jennings  and 
others  of  that  day.  It  is  said  Elder 
Loy  was  the  first  Southern  preacher 
to  visit  the  Baptists  of  Pennsylvania, 
after  the  close  of  the  Civil  war.  Dur- 
ing the  war  he  visited  the  army  at 
times,  and  had  a  son  in  the  service. 
During  his  last  days  the  "Means"  Bap- 
tists were  trying  to  introduce  their 
new  measures  in  his  churches  and 
one  of  his  last  wishes  was  that  he 
might  be  spared  to  oppose  their  in- 
novations. He  was  noted  for  his  mild 
manner  of  preaching,  for  his  humility 
and  meekness. 


J.   L.   LUDWICK. 


Ludwick,  Elder  J.  L.,  was  born 
in  Rockbridge  County,  Va.,  June 
6,  1846,  and  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church,  October  17,  1873.  He 
was  ordained  in  March,  1880,  and  has 
had  the  care  of  from  two  to  four 
churches  ever  since.  He  is  an  humble, 
but  devoted  follower  of  the  Master. 
Further  particulars  of  Elder  Ludwick's 
life  and  labors  could  not  be  obtained 
from  which  to  write  a  more  detailed 
notice. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


169 


WM.    LUNDY. 

Lundy,    Elder    Wm.,    was      born    in 
Carroll  County,  Va.,  in  1823,  and  died 

in  — i .  When  growing  to  manhood 

he  had  not  the  advantages  of  schools, 
hut  by  hard  study  at  home  he  acquir- 
ed sufficient  education  to  become  a 
teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
county.  In  1841  he  was  married  to 
Lucy  Payne  who,  for  forty-nine  years 
was  a  faithful  companion  to  him  .He 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists  in 
1854,  and  when  baptized,  it  is  said, 
came  out  of  the  water  preaching 
Jesus,  and  until  his  death  was  a 
faithful,  earnest  and  zealous  preach- 
er. When  Virginia  called  for  volun- 
teers in  1861,  he  organized  a  compa- 
ny and  was  made  captain,  and  during 
all  the  years  of  carnage  and  blood 
shed  he  failed  not  to  obey  duty's  call, 
but  proved  a  valiant  soldier,  and  when 
the  war  was  over,  he  with  renewed 
zeal,  entered  upon  the  work  of  His 
Master,  and  for  forty-five  years  of 
faithful  service  he  traveled  and 
preached  in  seventeen  siates,  mainlj 
the  south  and  middle  west,  and  in  all 
of  his  travels  to  preach  the  gospel  he 
went  without  any  guarantee  from  men 
but  through  many  dangers  and  all 
kinds  of  weather  he  pressed  onward 
in  the  simple,  but  uncommon  faith,  of 
the  apostles  trusting  that  God  would 
direct,  protect  and  open  the  heart  of 
his  people  to  minister  to  his  temporal 
needs.  A  typical  mountaineer,  a 
strong  preacher,  good  citizen  and  kind 
neighbor,  faithful  unto  death,  he  end- 
ed his  course  with  joy,  and  was  a  con- 
vincing example  of  the  power  of  God 
to  call  and  qualify  for  the  work  of  the 


ministry.  He  was  from  1874  until  his 
death,  moderator  of  the  Mountan  As- 
sociation 


E.   E,   LUNDY. 

Lundy,  Elder  E.  E.,  of  Wilmington, 
X.  O,  was  born  in  Carroll  County,  Va., 
April,  1867 ;  received  a  hope  in  Jesus 
and  united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists 
in  his  twenty-first  year  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  J.  R.  Sparks.  Two  years 
later  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and 
in  1892,  was  ordained  and  spent  the 
first  ten  years  of  his  ministerial  life 
in  evangelistic  work,  mostly  in  North 
Carolina,  though  he  has  traveled  and 
preached  in  several  states.  He  is  now 
pastor  of  (several)  churches,  within 
the  bounds  of  White  Oak,  Contetea 
and  Kehukee  Association,  and  does 
much  preaching  in  destitute  places, 
and  his  labors  are  being  blessed  of 
the  Lord,  and  his  faithful  service 
much   appreciated  by  his   churches. 


M 


BENJAMIN    MAHON. 

Marion,  Elder  Benjamin.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  a  faithful  min- 
ister who  served  churches  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Okom  Association 
most  of  his  life,  and  was,  for  some 
years  before  his  death,  moderator  of 
above  association.  He  was  born  in 
Virginia  in  1822,  moved  to  Fayette 
County,  111.,  in  1833,  and  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in  1848, 
was  ordained  in  1852,  and  died  in 
1903. 


ISAAC     MAHURIN. 

Mahurin,  Elder  Isaac,  of  Linneus, 
Mo.,  was  born  in  Grayson  County, 
Kentucky,  June  18,  1838,  and  moved  to 
Missouri  in  the  year  1859.  He  united 
with  Liberty  Church,  Linn  County, 
Mo.,  in  May,  1861,  and  has  a  member- 
ship in  that  church  at  the  present 
time.  He  was  ordained  in  August, 
1876,  and  while  not  taking  the  care 
of  any  church  as  pastor  alone,  has 
meekly  tried  to  serve  the  brethren 
where  they  desired  his  labors.    (From 


170 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Elder  Cash's   book   1896.)    Further  in- 
formation could  not  be  obtained. 


B.   F.   MARTIN. 

Martin,  Elder  B.  F.,  the  subject  of 
this  notice  was  born  in  Henry  Coun- 
ty, Va.,  about  the  year  1855,  where  he 
lived  until  his  father  moved  to  Smith 
County,  where  he  grew  to  manhood, 
and  married.  There  the  Lord  found 
him  as  he  did  Jacob  of  old,  and  led 
him  about  and  instructed  him.  He 
taught  him  that  salvation  is  of  the 
Lord,  and  bid  him  publish  the  good 
news  to  His  people.  About  the  year 
1878,  the  church  where  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, seeing  his  call,  and  being  satis- 
fied with  his  gift,  set  him  apart  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry.  His  manner 
of  preaching  was  not  such  as  to  at- 
tract the  worldly  minded,  but  to  the 
spiritually  minded  he  was  simply 
Christ-like,  humble,  loving  and  gent'e. 
He  possessed  little  of  this  world's 
goods,  nor  did  he  desire  the  applause 
of  men,  but  was  willing  to  labor  with 
his  own  hands  to  minister  to  the 
wants  of  those  around  him. 


WILLIAM    MARTIN. 

Martin,  Elder  William  (1804-1882), 
of  West  Virginia,  was  born  in  Boothe 
County,  and  moved  with  his  parents 
to  Ohio  when  very  young.  He  grew 
up  without  advantages  of  an  educa- 
tion but  God  was  pleased  to  call  him 
out  of  nature's  darkness  and  qualify 
him  for  a  useful  life  in  the  ministry. 
In  early  youth  he  was  convicted  cf 
sin,  given  a  hope  in  Jesus  and  a  desire 
to  preach  Him  to  others.  But  feeling 
unworthy  and  unable  for  such  a  work 
he,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  left  the  pa- 
rental roof,  thinking  to  run  away 
from  his  trouble.  But  God's  providen- 
tial care  followed  him  and  directed 
him  to  the  church  and  His  people  to 
whom  he  made  known  his  desire;  was 
received  into  their  fellowship,  and 
some  years  afterward,  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Hensley.  As  a  minister  his  labors 
were  mostly  among  the  churches  of 
the  Feays  Valley  Association  until  the 
mission  system  was  introduced,  which 
brought  about  a  split  in  the  year  1835, 
and  Elder  Martin  was  the  only  minis- 
ter in  the  entire  association  that 
stood  firm  and  opposed  all  the  inno- 
vations   of   men.    In    November,    1835, 


he  met  with  the  delegates  from  the 
six  churches  which  remained  unshak- 
en by  the  new  wind  of  doctrine.  These 
withdrew  from  the  Feays  Valley  As- 
sociation on  account  of  her  disorder 
and  was  organized  into  an  associa- 
tion which  was  called  the  Pocatalico. 
Elder  Martin  served  as  moderator  of 
this  association  about  forty  years.  He 
began  preaching  at  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen and  served  in  the  ministry  for 
sixty-one  years.  He  was  an  able  min- 
ister, wrote  many  beautiful  hymns, 
and  publisher  a  song-book  known  as 
"Zion's  Friend." 


JAMES    MARTINDALE. 

Martindale,  Elder  James  (1822-1885) 
This  faithful  soldier  of  the  Cross  was 
born  and  reared  in  Indiana,  received  a 
common  school  education,  united  with 
the  church  under  the  preaching  of 
Elder  Wilson  Thompson  and  was  bap- 
tized by  him.  He  was  a  minister  that 
was  not  only  loved  by  his  own  people 
but  by  those  "without  the  gate."  He 
had  "a  good  report"  from  all  and  liv- 
ed a  life  of  usefulness.  At  the  time  of 
his  death  he  was  serving  four 
churches  and  was  moderator  of  the 
Whitewater    Association. 


WILLIAM    MARVIN. 

Marvin,  Elder  William  (1780-1854), 
of  Virginia,  was  extensively  and  fav- 
orably known  as  an  able  and  zealous 
defender  of  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  uniform  in  his 
deportment,  quiet  and  dignified 
among  his  brethren.  He  was  privileg- 
ed with  no  ordinary  degree  of  spirit- 
ual-mindedness;  and  there  was  given 
him  more  than  a  superficial  view  of 
the  plague  of  his  heart.  During  his 
last  days  his  mind  was  stayed  upon 
God,  and  as  he  felt  that  he  was  draw- 
ing near  the  end  of  his  journey,  he 
longed  to  depart.  His  desire  in  life 
was  that  he  might  be  like  Christ,  and 
in  prospect  of  death  he  rejoiced  that 
his  desire  was  about  to  be  realized; 
for  as  the  dread  monster  appeared 
more  plain  to  his  view,  he  called  to 
his  support,  and  the  consolation  of 
those  surrounding  him,  the  following 
among  many  other  passages  from  the 
word  of  God:  Ps.  xlii.  5 — "Why  art 
thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul?  and  why 
are  thou  disquieted  within  me?  hope 
thou  in  God:  for  I  shall  yet  praise 
him,  who  is  the  health  of  my  counte- 
nance, and  my  God." 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


171 


DANIEL    M.    MASTERS. 

Masters,  Elder  Daniel  M.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  -u'as  born  in  Christ- 
ian County,  111.,  November  8,  1868. 
When  growing  up  he  had  serious 
thoughts  and  much  anxiety  about  his 
future  state,  and  his  sins  were  re- 
vealed to  him  and  made  to  appear  ex- 
ceedingly sinful.  Though,  by  good 
works,  he  tried  to  get  relief  from  his 
burden,  he  was  brought  to  the  point 
where  he  had  to  stand  still  and  see 
the  salvation  of  the  Lord.  But  He 
who  brought  him  to  see  himself  a 
vile  sinner  also  revealed  Himself  to 
him  as  the  Saviour  of  sinners.  This 
was  in  1889,  and  in  1893  he  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists,  and  in 
1898  was  ordained  a  deacon.  Three 
years  later  he  was  ordained  to  the 
ministry,  has  the  care  of  churches, 
and  is  faithful  and  devoted  to  the 
cause   of  truth. 


W.  S.    MATTHEWS. 

Matthews,  Elder  W.  S.,  was  born  in 
Howard  County,  Mo.,  December  27, 
1827,  then  moved  with  his  parents  to 
Johnson  County,  from  there  to  Platte 
County,  where  he  grew  to  manhood. 
He  professed  a  hope  in  Christ  July  3, 
1843,  and  was  baptized  in  the  fellow- 
ship of  Hillsborough  Church  the  third 
Sunday  in  August  by  Elder  William 
Simpson.  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Frances  Deshazer  in  DeKalb  County, 
Mo.,  November  15,  1846,  moved  to 
Kansas  in  1859,  and  was  licensed  to 
preach  July  4,  1874,  by  the  Harmony 
Church  in  Nemaha  County,  Kan.  He 
was  ordained  by  the  same  church, 
May  8,  1875,  moved  to  Oregon  in  1879 


and  has  attended  four  churches  most 
of  the  time  since.  He  has  been  mod- 
erator of  Siloam  Association  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  is  a  faithful, 
zealous  and  useful  minister. 


F.  M.  MATTOX. 

Mattox,  Elder  F.  M.,  of  Indiana,  was 
a  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth  Mat- 
tox, and  was  born  near  Hardensburg, 
Washington  County,  Indiana,  April  4, 
1840.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mary  Adaline  Wible,  April  10,  1862. 
Brother  Mattox  united  with  the  Sink- 
ing Spring  Regular  or  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  by  experience  at  the 
April  meeting,  1861.  He  was  or- 
dained to  the  office  of  Deacon 
at  the  April  meeting,  1869,  which 
position  he  faithfully  filled  until  set 
apart  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry. He  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  the  fifth  Satur- 
day in  May,  1875,  by  a  presbytery 
composed  of  Elders  Samuel  McMa- 
han,  James  Strickland,  and  Wesley 
Poison.  He  was  a  devoted  Christian, 
a  faithful  minister  of  the  gospel,  an 
humble,  unpretentious  man.  These 
characteristics  marked  the  entire 
course  of  his  life  and  caused  him  to 
be  known  as  one  who  loved  peace — a 
peacemaker  in  all  that  the  word  im- 
plies. He  was  an  able  defender  of  the, 
dostrine  of  the  Bible,  and  while  he 
was  conservative  in  his  deportment 
toward  men,  he  made  no  compromise 
with  error,  nor  sacrifice  of  Bible 
truth.  Elder  Mattox  was  at  the  time 
of  his  death  and  several  years  pre- 
vious moderator  of  the  Blue  River 
Association. 


E.   C.    MAULDIN. 

Mauldin,  Elder  E.  C,  of  Bebb, 
Texas,  was  born  in  Edgefield,  S.  C, 
January  9,  1809,  moved  with  his  pa- 
rents to  Alabama,  in  his  eight  year, 
and  later  to  Tennessee.  When  twenty 
years  old  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Eliza  Biggs,  a  daughter  of  Elder  Asa 
Biggs,  united  with  the  church  1846, 
and  ordained  1858.  The  work  of  Elder 
Maudlin's  ministerial  life  was  spent 
in  Texas,  but  a  sketch  of  his  labors 
and  the  date  of  his  death  could  not  be 
obtained    by    the    author. 


JOHN    A.    MAXWELL. 

Maxwell,  Elder  John  A.,  was  born 
in  Cumberland  County,  North  Caroli- 
na,  September   12,   1826,   and   died   Oc- 


172 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


tober  12,  1906.  He  united  with  Pied- 
mont Church,  September,  1857,  and  or- 
dained to  the  gospel  ministry  Decem- 
ber 20,  1874.  His  parents  moved  from 
North  Carolina  in  1832,  to  Decatur 
County,  Ga.,  where  he  lived  and  died 
in  three  miles  of  where  he  was  raised. 
Elder  Maxwell  was  a  good  husband 
and  father,  firm  and  positive  in  his 
family,  though  not  tyrannical.  He  was 
established  and  sincere  in  his  convic- 
tions, and  provided  a  handsome  living 
for  his  family.  He  was  firm  in  all  that 
he  considered  just  and  right,  unflinch- 
ing in  all  that  he  thought  pertained 
to  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints,  in  his  practice.,  and  ministry 
of  the  gospel. 


G.    E.    MAYFIELD. 

Mayfield,  Elder  G.  E.,  of  Elgin,  Ore., 
was  born  in  Washington  County,  Ore., 
October  29,  184G.  When  an  infant  his 
parents  moved  to  Missouri,  and  when 
about  grown  moved  to  Oregon.  His 
parents  were  Primitive  Baptists  and 
raised  him  right  but  could  not  make 
him  love  the  Old  School  Baptist  doc- 
trine and  in  April,  1867,  he  united 
with  the  Missionary  Baptists.  Soon 
afterward  he  was  thrown  in  company 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists  of  Clock- 
amas  County,  Ore.,  and  occasionally 
attended  their  meetings,  soon  learned 
that  they  preached  his  experience  as 
well  as"  sustaining  their  doctrine  fully 
by  the  Bible.  About  this  date— 1867— 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Francis  Ray, 
and  they  both  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive   Baptists    April,    1869,    and    were 


baptized  by  Elder  J.  P.  Allison.  In 
1873  he  was  licensed  and  in  October, 
1876,  was  ordained  by  Elders  John 
Stipp,  Geo.  Wills,  M.  Loveridge,  J.  P. 
Allison  and  R.  Thank.  His  wife  died 
in  1875,  and  the  following  year  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Amanda  Westerfield. 
In  1S78  he  was  in  the  constitution  of 
Big  Spring  Church,  Union  County, 
Ore.,  and  has  since  served  this  church 
as  pastor.  Elder  Mayfield  is  an  hum- 
ble, earnest  and  faithful  minister,  is 
in  his  sixty-second  years  of  age  and 
desires  to  press  onward  in  the  Christ- 
ian warfare  and  finish  his  course  with 
joy. 


E.  A.  MEADERS. 

Meaders,  Elder  E.  A.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  a  native  of  Tennes- 
see. He  obtained  a  hope  in  early 
life,  and  united  with  the  Old 
School  Baptists  and  began  preaching 
when  he  was  about  twenty  years  of 
age;  emigrated  to  the  state  of  Mis- 
sissippi in  1835  when  but  few  white 
people  lived  in  North  Mississippi.  He 
helped  to  organize  the  Tallahatchie 
Association  and  was  one  of  her  most 
active  ministers.  For  many  years  he 
lived  in  the  town  of  Oxford,  Miss., 
during  which  time  he  felt  deeply  im- 
pressed of  the  Lord  to  travel  and 
preach  through  the  Northern  states 
and  Canada,  which  he  did  in  1856-'57. 
During  this  trip  he  went  to  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  and  while  there  a  friend  of 
his  introduced  him  to  President  Bu- 
channan  as  a  Baptist  minister,  where- 
upon the  President  asked  him  if  he 
was  a  Calvanistic  Baptist.  Elder  Mead- 
ers calmly  replied  "no,"  giving  as 
his  reason  that  Calvin  sprinkled 
babies  and  persecuted  the  Baptists. 
The  President  replied,  'Why,  I  was 
sprinkled  when  an  infant."  "Well, 
Mr.  President,'  said  Elder  Mead- 
ers, "If  you  were  filthy  enough 
to  need  washing  and  they  only 
sprinkled  you  they  left  you  all  the 
worse."  Next  morning  the  President 
sent  for  Elder  Meaders  and  offered 
him  the  governorship  of  the  Territory 
of  Utah,  when  the  Elder  said,  "Thank 
you,  Mr.  President,  I  cannot  conde- 
scend to  accept."  Elder  Meaders  was 
one  of  the  most  firm,  uncompromising, 
Baptists,  as  well  as  one  of  the  most 
devoted  and  self-sacrificing  ministers 
among  our  people.  He  was  an  ex- 
emplary minister  without  a  spot  upon 
his  moral  character,  and  passed  away 
in  the  triumphs  of  faith  at  the  age  of 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


173 


eighty-six,  having  been  the  Moderator 
of  the  Tallahatchie  and  Hopewell  as- 
sociations for  many  years. 


STANTON     MEADS. 

Meads,  Elder  Stanton.  The  subject 
of  this  notice  was  a  native  of  Pas- 
quatank  County,  N.  C  He  was  born 
in  1808,  and  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptists  before  the  division  and 
remained  faithful  to  the  cause  of  God, 
not  being  carried  about  by  winds  of 
doctrine.  He  was  in  1860,  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  by  Elders 
Hodges  Gallop  and  Caleb  Sawyer,  and 
was  a  faithful  pastor  until  his  death 
in  1878.  His  son,  Elder  Charles 
Meads,  is  faithfully  walking  the  way 
in  which  his  honored  father  served 
Jesus.  


of  poor  parentage,  raised  on  a  farm 
and  had  but  few  opportunities  of  an 
education,  though  by  dint  of  study 
and  close  observation  stored  his  mind 
with  much  useful  information.  When 
young  he  would  have  many  serious 
thoughts  about  his  eternal  welfare 
but  such  thoughts  would  soon  pass 
out  of  his  mind.  But  in  1867  God  re- 
vealed to  him  his  sins,  showed  him 
his  lost  condition  by  nature,  and  ere 
long  by  the  "still  small  voice"  spoke 
peace  to  his  troubled  soul  by  reveal- 
ing to  him  Jesus  as  his  Saviour.  He 
did  not  tarry,  but  went  to  the  people 
he  so  much  loved — the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists— the  same  year,  was  received 
into  the  fellowship  of  Flatty  Creek 
Church  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Hodges  Gallop.  He  was  soon  impress- 
ed with  the  duty  of  preaching  ana 
was  ordained  to  the  work  July,  1871, 
by  Elders  Hodges  Gallop  and  J.  D. 
Wicker,  and  has  had  the  care  of  from 
Church  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Meads  is  an  humble,  gentle  and  peace 
loving  man,  desires  to  know  nothing 
but  Christ  and  Him  crucified,  as  the 
salvation  of  siners,  and  is  content 
with  the  goodness  of  God's  house  and 
its   simple  worship. 


CHARLES    MEADS. 

Meads,    Elder   Charles,     of     Weeks- 
viU«,  N.  C  ,  was  born  August  6,  1843, 


HENRY   MEEKS. 

Meeks,  Elder  Henry,  of  Meeks,  Ga., 
was  born  March  6,  1848,  reared  on 
the  farm  with  poor  advantages  of 
schools,  taught  lessons  of  morality, 
truthfulness  and  honesty  by  godly  pa- 
rents, entered  the  Southern  army  in 
1864,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  from  which 
he  was  honorably  discharged  at  the 
cessation  of  hostilities.  From  a  boy  he 
.had  serious  thoughts  of  life,  death  and 
eternity,  was  convicted  of  sin  about 
1868  and  for  several  years  was  under 
deep  conviction.  After  he  was  deliv- 
ered from  his  burden  of  guilt  and 
Jesus  was  revealed  to  him  as  his  Sa- 
viour, he,  for  some  years  remained 
out  of  the  church  waiting  for  more 
evidence  of  his  acceptance,  but  in 
1874  united  with  Providence  Church, 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Riner,  and  was 
ordained  to  the  ministry  1877.  Elder 
Meeks  has  served  from  one  to  four 
churches  since  his  ordination  and 
served  his  home  church  twenty-eight 
years,  has  assisted  in  the  constitu- 
tion of  two  churches  and  the  ordina- 
tion of  nine  ministers,  has  baptized 
about  one  hundred  persons  and  mar- 
ried many  couples  and  is  a  useful 
and  faithful  minister  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament. 


174 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


WOODSON    MELTON. 

Melton,  Elder  Woodson  of  West  Vir- 
inia,  lived  and  labored  within  the 
hounds  of  the  Pocatalico  Associations. 
He  was  a  native  of  Mason  County, 
served  the  churches  long  and  faith- 
fully and  was  much  beloved  by  his 
people;  and  the  editor  regrets  that  a 
full  sketch  of  his  life  could  not  be  pre- 
sented. 


JOHN    H.   MENEFEE. 

Menefee,  Elder  John  H.,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Page  County  Va.  He  was  born 
September  23,  1820 'and  died  March  8, 
1897  in  his  seventy-seventh  year  of  age. 
Early  in  life  he  was  convicted  of  sin 
and  found  peace  and  rest  alone  by 
faith  in  Jesus.  And  soon  after  finding 
this  pearl  of  great  price  he  was  im- 
pressed to  tell  the  "good  news"  to 
others  and  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry,  and  for  forty  years  proved 
a  fatihful  soldier  of  Jesus.  During 
the  division  of  1890  when  the  "Regu- 
lar" Baptist,  or  more  generally  and 
properly  known  "Burnham  Baptists," 
were  cut  off  by  the  Old  School  Bap- 
tists on  account  of  their  doctrine  and 
practice  of  human  means  in  the  salva- 
tion of  sinners,  Elder  Mienefee  re- 
mained with  the  Old  School  Baptists 
and  continued  until  the  end,  preaching 
salvation  alone  by  the  sovereign,  eter- 
nal, unchangeable  mercy  of  God.  Dur- 
ing his  long,  faithful  service  he  served 
Mill  Creek,  Brocks  Gap  and  several 
other  churches  of  the  Ebenezer  Asso- 
ciation and  stood  in  high  esteem  as 
an  able  minister  of  the  gospel,  but 
a  full  sketch  of  his  life  could  not  be 
obtained  by  the  editor. 


W.    W.    MEREDITH. 


Meredith,  Elder  W.  W.  This  gifted 
minister  was  highly  esteemed  and 
dearly  beloved  for  his  fatherly,  kind, 
humble  and  gentle  manner,  and  fior 
his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  truth. 
He  was  a  native  of  Delaware,  and  liv- 
ed at  Felton,  at  the  time  of  his  death 
in  1906.  He  traveled  among  the  Bap- 
tists of  the  Northeastern,  and  some  of 
the  Southern  states,  attending  several 
sessions  of  the  Kehukee  and  other 
associations  in  North  Carolina  and 
was  everywhere  well  received.  The 
editor  regrets  that  a  full  sketch  of  his 
useful,  exemplary,  life  could  not,  for 
want  of  data,  be  given. 


PARROTT   MEWBORN. 

Mewborn,  Elder  Parrott,  was  a  na- 
tive of  Lenoir  County,  N  C.  He  was 
born  January  1,.  1799,  united  with 
Bear  Creek  Church  August,  1824,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Lewis  Whit- 
fie'd,  was  soon  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry  and  after  nearly  forty  years 
of  faithful  service  in  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard he  died  April  29,  18G4.  Elder 
Mewborn  had  a  bright  experience  in 
his  change  from  nature  to  grace,  and 
could  truly  say  "the  Lord  hath  led 
me."  He  was  considered  a  very  able 
dotrinal,  experimental  and  prophetic- 
ical  preacher.  Many  important  events, 
such  as  the  Civil  war,  the  overthrow 
of  the  Civil  power  of  the  Pope  of 
Rome,  etc.,  were  prophesied  by  him 
and  came  to  pass  about  the  time  pre- 
dicted. For  many  years  he  was  a  great 
sufferer  from  rheumatism.  His  mind 
became  deeply  impressed  with  the 
miraculous  cures  of  diseases  made  by 
Christ  and  he  was  given  a  desire  to 
earnest  prayer,  and  faith  to  believe 
that  Christ  would  heal  him.  This  He 
did,  and  in  his  writings  he  says: 
"There  came  virtue  and  love  and  fill- 
ed my  soul  and  I  felt  the  good  effects, 
rose  up  and  began  to  praise  the  Lord 
and  stood  on  the  floor."  More  than 
twenty  years  have  passed  and  I  thank 
and  praise  the  Lord  that  I  have  not 
had  the  rheumatic  pains?  since."  His 
life  was  an  honorable,  useful  one  and 
shed  a  good  influence  in  the  commu- 
nity in  which  he  lived. 


GEORGE  MEWBORN. 

Mewborn,  Elder  George,  the  oldest 
son  of  Elder  Parrott  Mewborn  was 
born  December  26,  1824.  As  a  boy  he 
was  bright  and  industrious,  quick  to 
learn  and  a  great  lover  of  books.  In 
early  manhood  he  taught  school  and 
worked  as  a  clerk,  but  by  experience< 
learned  that  he  preferred  farming,  at 
which  he  was  successful.  He  was,  in 
1848.  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Hardy, 
Some  years  later  he  was  made  to  feel 
his  sinful  condition  by  nature  and 
what  he  must  be  by  grace  to  meet  God 
in  peace,  was  given*  hope  in  Jesus  and 
in  1850  united  with  the  church  at 
Mewborn's  and  was  baptized  by  his 
father.  He  served  his  church  as  clerk 
and  deacon  and  during  the  latter 
years  of  his  life  "commenced  to  speak 
as  a  minister  and  bid  fair  to  become  an 
able  minister  though  he  was  never 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry."  He  died  in  1859  in  his 
thirty-fourth  year  of  age. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


175 


PARROTT    MEWBORN    JR. 

Mewborn,  Eider  Parrott  Jr.,  son  of 
Elder  Parrott  Mewborn,  was  born  Au- 
gust 21,  1834,  and  died  April  15,  1831. 
He  served  in  the  Civil  war,  and  was 
in  the  fall  of  1865  married  to  Miss 
Lany  Hardy.  In  18G8  he  was  given 
a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  and  united 
with  the  church  at  Mewborns,  Green 
County,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
T.  W.  Wills.  In  1873  he  was  ordained 
to  the  gospel  work  by  Elders  S.  Pate 
and  Thos.  W.  Wills.  He  was  a  good 
disciplinarian  and  great  lover  of 
peace. 


D.  A.  MEWBORN. 

Mewborn,  Elder  D.  A.,  of  Farmville, 
N.  C,  was  born  June  14,  1840.  He  is  a 
son  of  Elder  Parrott  Mewborn,  was 
raised  on  a  farm,  and  as  a  boy  ac- 
quired a  love  for,  and  habit  of  read- 
ing. As  advantages  of  school  were 
limited  he  found  that  his  studious 
habits  were  the  foundation  of  his  ac- 
quisition of  knowledge  in  future  life. 
He  served  as  a  private  in  the  war  be- 
tween the  states  when  not  disabled, 
and  in  1867  was  married  to  Miss  P.  A. 
Dixon  From  a  boy  he  had  a  feeling 
that  he  would  one  day  become  a 
preacher  and  set  about  to  get  religion 
But  in  this  he  failed  for  the  Lord 
showed  him  his  sinful  nature  and 
utter  helpless  condition,  and  in  Novem- 
ber 1872,  he  united  with  the  Meadow 
Church  in  Green  County  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Jesse  Baker  He  was 
in  1874,  ordained  as  a  deacon,  li- 
censed to  preach  in  1879,  and  ordained 
to  the  full  work  in  1881  by  Elders  J. 
C.  Hewit,  and  L.  H.  Hardy,  and  is  a 
useful,  faithful  minister. 


HENRY   D.   MICKEY. 

Mickey,  Elder  Henry  D.,  of  Pinna- 
cle, N.  C.,  was  born  in  Surry  County, 
N.  C.,  April  8,  1849;  was  of  humble 
parentage  and  one  ot  a  family  of 
twelve  children.  Three  short  sessions 
was  the  limit  of  his  school  days.  His 
motherd  was  a  Methodist  and  he  was 
therefore  raised  up  in  that  faith,  and 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  united  with 
this  church  but  felt  no  conviction  for 
sin  or  difference  in  his  life.  Four  years 
later  he  moved  into  a  neighborhood 
where  he  came  in  contact  with  Primi- 
tive Baptists.  He  had  heard  them 
spoken  of  as  a  hard  set  of  people  hold- 
ing to  an  unsound  doctrine.  He  at- 
tended their  meetings  but  could  not 
understand  the  preaching  until  he 
was,  by  God's  spirit,  taught  his  lost 
and  ruined  condition  and  given  a  hope 
of  heaven  through  the  atoning  blood 
of  Jesus,  Thus  he  was  led  to  the 
church,  united  with  those  he  once 
had  no  love  for,  was  later  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry  and  has 
since  been  preaching  Jesus  the,  way, 
the  truth  and  the  life. 


J  AS.    F.    MILLS. 

Mills,    Elder    Jas.    F.,    was    born    in 

Union  County,  N.  C,  June  G,  1846, 
on  the  farm  where  he  has  lived  all  his 
life.  In  his  youth  he  had  serious 
tt oughts  of  eternity  and  his  future 
destiny  which  followed  him,  and 
caused  him  much  trouble  until  the 
second  day  of  September,  1874,  when 
he  was  blest  with  a  hope  in  Christ  as 
his  Redeemer.  He  united  with  the 
Church  April,  1879,  began  to  speak  in 
public  there  in  May,  1888,  and  was 
ordained  about  two  years  later.  He 
is  a  very  mild  and  conservative  min- 
ister, has  traveled  some  but  most  of 
his  labors  have  been  within  the 
bounds  of  the  Bear  Creek  Association 
and  no  man  stands  higher  in  the  es- 
teem of  his  brethren  and  friends  than 
Elder  Mills.  His  life  is  one  of  sobriety, 
humility  and  willing  service.  He  is 
now,  and  has  been  for  some  fifteen 
or  more  years  Moderator  of  the  Bear 
Creek    Association. 


J.  D.  MIRACLE. 

Miracle,  Elder  J.  D.  Brother  Miracle 
died  February  12  1908.  He  was  born 
in  Kentucky  and  went  west  in  1865. 
The  chief  theme  of  his  life  was  salva- 


176 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


tion  by  grace,  and  "amazing  grace"  he 
constantly  sang  and  talked.  Ever  re- 
joicing in  the  grace  of  God  to  him  he 
shed  forth  the  same  on  all  around, 
and  was  a  kind  and  loving  father  to 
all  he  met.  This  heaven-born  kindness 
and  humility  made  him  friends  and 
won  respect  from  all  he  met.  In  all 
his  trials  through  life  his  love  for  the 
church  was  uppermost,  and  this  leav- 
ened his  entire  conduct.  He  was  twice 
married  and  leaves  a  faithful  wife  and 
twelve  children,  two  of  whom  are 
ministers  of  the  gospel.  He  had  lived 
in  Arkansas,  Kansas  and  Missouri, 
and  had  baptized  a  host  of  believers, 
his  own  mother  being  among  the  num- 
ber. Many  years  shall  he  shine  as  a 
star  in  the  firmament  of  Zion,  inviting 
us  on  and  upward. 


WM.     M.     MITCHELL. 

Mitchell,  Elder  Wm.  M.  This  emi- 
nent servant  of  God  was  a  son  of 
James  and  Margaret  Mitchell;  was 
born  January  10,  1819,  near  Chester 
Court  House,  S.  C,  had  but  poor  ad- 
vantages of  education,  though  by 
hard  study  and  close  application  ad- 
vanced far  enough  in  English  studies 
to  teach  public  school,  which  he  fol- 
lowed a  few  years  in  his  early  man- 
hood; was  convicted  of  sin  when 
about  fifteen  years  old;  married  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  Taylor,  June  2,  1842; 
united  with  Providence  Church  Au- 
gust, 1842,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
J.  J.  Dickson;  was  before  his  bap- 
tism wonderfully  impressed  with  thi 
thought  that  he  must  preach — the 
Lord  leading  his  mind,  when  trying  to 
pray,  to  read  the  12th  chapter  of 
Isaiah,  and  at  the  fourth  verse  deeply 


impressing  upon  his  mind  the  words, 
"You  must  preach;"  preached  his  first 
sermon  eleven  months  after  uniting 
with  the  church — speaking  about  two 
hours  much  to  the  edification  of  the 
hearers;  was  ordained  to  all  the  func- 
tions of  the  gospel  ministry  July, 
1845  and  after  more  than  forty  years 
of  useful,  faithful  and  exemplary  ser- 
vice died  at  his  home  in  Opelika,  Ala., 
February  26,  1901,  in  his  eighty-third 
year  of  age.  Elder  Mitchell  was  for 
many  years  associate  editor  of  the 
Gospel  Messenger,  and  was  one  of 
the  most  able  spiritual  writers  of  the 
age.  Out  of  the  many  published  com- 
mendatory remarks  of  him  I  append 
the  following  from  the  pen  of  that 
sweet  writer  S.  B.  Luckett:  "The 
death  of  Elder  Mitchell  will  be  felt 
all  over  the  land,  but  it  is  for  those 
who  knew  him  best  to  speak  more 
particularly  of  his  personal  worth  and 
Christian  character,  while  we  who 
lived  beyond  the  charm  of  his  voice 
and  the  sight  of  his  well-ordered  steps 
are  to  trace  his  goodness,  his  affec- 
tion, and  his  love  of  truth  in  the  writ- 
ten page,  as  we  do  in  the  case  of 
Paul  and  other  pensmen  of  the  Lord. 
Before  such  spiritual  excellence  and 
moral  worth,  such  heaven-born  humil- 
ity and  Christian  love,  the  world's 
grandeur  and  ostentation  are  a  thing 
of  nought.  We  need  not  ask,  who  will 
write  the  memorial  of  his  life  or  his 
epitaph  in  death.  He  needeth  no  epis- 
tle of  commendation  from  any,  for  he, 
being  dead,  yet  speaketh,  and  our  edi- 
fied and  instructed  hearts  are  the  seal 
of  his  ministry.  The  spirit  of  devotion 
and  love,  and  the  incense  of  spiritual- 
ity are  in  all  his  writings.  His  edito- 
rial in  the  last  Gospel  Messenger 
would  be  a  monument  to  any  name." 


H.   G.    MITCHELL. 

Mitchell,  Elder  H.  G.,  of  Nickajack, 
Ga.,  is  moderator  of  the  Marietta  Old 
School  Baptist  Association  of  Georgia. 
He  has  the  care  of  Bethlehem  and  Mt. 
Zion  Churches  in  Cobb  County,  and 
other  churches  in  this  section,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  for  the  truth's  sake. 
Particulars  of  his  life  and  labors  could 
not  be  secured. 


THOMAS  MITCHELL. 

Mitchell,  Elder  Thomas,  of  Spencer 
Ind.,  was  born  in  Lawrence  County, 
Ind ,  August  11,  1858,  became  deeply 
interested   on   the  subject  of  religion 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


177 


in  his  seventeenth  year,  united  with 
Spring  Creek  Baptist  Church  in  his 
twentieth  year  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  J.  H.  Oliphant.  The  work  of  the 
ministry  began  to  weigh  heavily  on  his 
mind,  and  he  began  preaching  about 
1895,  was  ordained  July  the  following 


THOMAS  MITCHELL 

year  by  Elders  P.  T.  Oliphant  and  F. 
M.  Mattox,  and  has  had,  since  that 
time  the  care  of  three  churches  al- 
most continuously.  For  about  fifteen 
years  he  has  been  clerk  of  the  White 
River  Association  and  has  proven  a 
faithful  servant  and  desires  to  know 
nothing,  in  the  matter  of  salvation, 
but  Jesus  and  Him  crucified. 


WM.    RILEY    MITCHELL. 

Mitchell,  Elder  Wm.  Riley,  of  Mis- 
souri. This  minister  was  born  near 
Wilksbu:-g,  X.  C,  and  was  educated 
there  and  went  to  Middle  Tennessee 
in  his  young  days.  About  the  year 
1854,  he  moved  to  Missouri  and  served 
churches  in  this  state,  but  data  for  a 
full  sketch  of  his  life  and  labors  could 
not  be  obtained.  He  died  about  the 
year  1875,  while  away  from  home  fill- 
ing appointments. 


AMOS    MIX. 

Mix,  Elder  Amos,  was  born  in  New 
York  in  the  year  1759.  Entered  the 
Army  of  the  Revolution  from  the  state 
of  New  York  at  the  commencement  of 
hostilities  in  1775,  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen years  and  served  through  the 
seven  years.     After  General  Lafayette 


came  to  the  aid  of  America  he  was  one 
of  the  general's  regiment  of  picked 
men.  When  he  joined  the  Baptists 
cannot  be  stated.  The  records  of  the 
Red  Stone  Association  of  Western 
Pennsylvania  show  that  he  was  an 
Elder  in  the  bounds  of  that  Association 
as  far  back  as  1807.  Elder  Mix  was 
a  predestinarian  and  at  the  time  of  his 
connection  with  the  Red  Stone  Associa- 
tion there  were  inroads  being  made  in 
to  the  Baptist  doctrine,  and  some  were 
arvocating  Arminianism,  especially 
Alexander  Campbell,  who  joined  the 
Baptists  in  that  country  in  1812  and 
was  excluded  from  the  stand  of  the 
preachers  at  Big  Red  Stone  Church, 
Fayette  County,  Pa.,  September,  1828. 
And  he  stood  firm  against  this  Armin- 
ian  doctrine  and  had  it  not  been  for 
such  valiant  men  Campbell  would  have 
carried  the  body  of  the  Association 
with  him.  As  it  was  however,  as 
stated  by  an  eye  witness,  only  one 
elder  had  the  fortitude  to  follow  Camp- 
bell who  went  about  thirty  rods  to  a 
stone  that  projected  above  the  ground, 
upon  which  he  mounted  and  harangued 
the  excited  people  for  three  days.  A 
few  years  after  these  events  occurred 
the  "Disciples"  of  Alexander  Campbell 
went  to  the  "sacred  spot"  and  carried 
pieces  of  the  "foundation  stone'  'away 
as  sacred  relics.  Elder  Mix  went  to 
Ohio  in  later  years  and  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life  in  the  bounds  of 
the  Muskingum  Association,  and  was 
on  the  side  of  the  Old  School  when  the 
division  took  place  in  1832.  He  died 
in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  in  the 
year  1846.  • — 


SILAS    H.     MOFFETT. 

Moffett,  Elder  Silas  H.,  of  Paris, 
111.,  son  of  Daniel  and  Lucinda  (.Rec- 
tor)  Moffitt,   who  migrated   from   Far- 


178 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


quier  County,  Va.,  about  1831,  was 
born  in  Kentucky  August  7,  1828,  and 
was  Killed  by  the  cars  at  Kansas,  Til., 
June  1,  190G,  in  tbe  seventy-eigbtb 
year  of  his  age.  He  was  carried  to 
Illinois  by  bis  parents  wben  be  was 
three  years  old  and  lived  for  about 
seventy-four  years  a  resident  of  Ed- 
gar County,  111.,  and  helped  to  re- 
claim the  wilderness  and  wild,  fertile 
prairie,  and  put  the  land  in  a  high 
state  of  cultivation.  By  thrift  and 
economy  he  procured  a  reasonable 
amount  of  this  world's  goods,  and  left 
his  family,  all  of  whom  are  grown  up, 
in  comfortable  circumstances.  He  re- 
ceived a  hope  in  early  life,  and  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church, 
of  which  he  remained  a  faithful  mem- 
ber for  over  half  a  century.  He  began 
his  public  ministry  in  1874,  and  was 
ordained  shortly  afterwards,,  and  the 
Lord  blessed  his  labors  to  the  com- 
fort of  many  of  the  Lord's  little  ones. 
He  often  said  he  was  content  to 
preach  about  the  things  he  under- 
stood and  let  the  deep  and  unrevealed 
mysteries  remain  unmolested,  as  they 
so  often  engendered  strife  when  they 
were  advocated  by  others.  As  a  Bible 
student  be  was  perhaps,  as  well  in- 
formed as  any  man  of  our  denomina- 
tion, for  he  made  the  Bible  the  man 
of  his  counsel.  He  loved  his  brethren 
and  always  "preached  unto  them 
Jesus."  He  preached  his  last  discourse 
Sunday,  May  27,  at  the  home  of  Elder 
James  M.  True,  in  Kansas,  111.,  fol- 
lowing Elder  J.  G.  Sawin;  and  it 
seemed  he  realized  that  his  time  was 
short,  and  his  soul  was  filled  with 
holy  zeal  and  heavenly  light.  The 
evening  before  bis  untimely  -death  he 
walked  the  porch  and  sang,  "The  Un- 
clouded Day."  When  he  started  to 
town  he  said  good-bye  to  his  dear 
companion  three  times,  which  were 
tbe  last  words  she  ever  heard  him 
utter,  as  he  never  regained  conscious- 
ness after  being  struck  by  the  train, 
and  only  lived  two  hours.  Elder  Mof- 
fett  was  a  faithful  under-shepherd  and 
had  the  care  of  churches  continuously 
until  his  death,  and  was  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  Moderator  of  his  home 
association. 


MITCHELL    B.    MOFFETT. 

Moffett,  Elder  Mitchel  B.,  of  Paris, 
111.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  Edgar  County,  111.,  May  24. 
1854,  and  was  the  second  son  of  Elder 
Silas  H.  Moffett.  The  country  being 
new  and  sparsely  settled  the  advant- 


ages of  education  were  far  from  fav- 
orable, but  with  a  desire  to  acquire 
at  least  the  rudiments  of  a  practical 
education  he  succeeded  in  obtaining 
a  teacher's  license  and  for  ten  years 
taught  school  in  the  winter  and  farm- 
ed in  the  summer.  He  was  made  to 
realize  his  dependence  on  God  for  life 
and  salvation  in  his  twentieth  year, 
realized  an  interest  in  the  Saviour's 
love  and  became  impressed  with  an 
earnest  desire  to  proclaim  the  un- 
searchable   riches    of    Christ    at    the 


ilia^ 


MITCHELL  B.    MOFFETT 

very  time  he  received  a  hope  in  the 
Saviour.  United  with  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  December,  1873,  and 
made  his  first  attempt  to  speak  in 
public  March,  1874.  But  having  a 
dread  of  ever  becoming  a  public 
servant,  he  withstood,  in  a  measure, 
his  impressions  to  preach,  and  tried 
to  farm  and  teach  as  above  stated. 
He  was  married  September  9,  1874,  to 
Miss  Emily  K.  Redman  and  together 
they  have  battled  over  thirty-four 
years, — she  being  in  every  sense  of 
the  word  an  helpmete,  both  naturally 
and  spiritually.  Elder  Moffett  has  ever 
been  content  to  deal  with  the  revealed 
things  in  the  gospel  field  and  always 
tried  to  labor  for  the  peace  of  Zion, 
and  is  now  pastor  of  Concord  Church 
Clark  County,  111.,  where  he  tried  to 
preach  when  but  nineteen  years  old, 
and  he  labored  here  most  of  the  time 
for  over  thirty-four  years.  Has  also 
the  care  of  other  churches  and  has 
traveled  extensively  and  has  been 
well  received  by  the  Primitive  or  Old 
School  Baptist  every  where  he  has 
gone,  and  is  contented  to  still  con- 
tinue in  the  good  old  way,  satisfied 
with  the  goodness  of  the  Lord's  house, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


179 


even  of  his  holy  temple.  He  has  bap- 
tized nearly  two  hundred  persons, 
married  about  as  many  couples  and 
preached  2G4  funerals  up  to  the  pres- 
ent  time — 1908. 


E.   P.   MOFFETT. 

Moffett,  Elder  E.  P.,  was  born  Sep- 
tember 22,  1825,  and  died  January  15, 
1894.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Celia 
Rogers,  daughter  of  Elder  Elijah 
Rogers,  September  6_  1846,  and  joined 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Sul- 
phur Springs,  Warren  County,  Tenn., 
in  June,  1850.  Elder  Moffett  was  an 
able  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  began 
to  preach  in  1854,  and  was  sound  in 
the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour,  and 
in  the  practice  and  order  of  the 
church  and  was  ever  a  gallant  de- 
fender of  salvation  by  grace.  The 
churches  of  the  Collins  River  As- 
sociation will  greatly  miss  him.  He 
stood  high  in  his  neighborhood  as  a 
citizen,  and  was  greatly  beloved  by  the 
Baptists  everywhere  he  was  known. 


S.    B.    MOFFITT, 

Moffitt,  Elder  S.  B.,  of  Xewburg, 
Ohio,  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  N. 
C.  October,  1857,  reared  by  godly  par- 
ents, but  cai'ed  nothing  about  the 
church  and  felt  he  could  get  religion 
Avhenever  he  wanted  it,  left  home  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  and  went  to  Iowa, 
remaining  there  twelve  years  and  was 
married  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Hill,  Decem- 
ber 22,  1878,  moved  to  Jewell  County, 
Ky.,  and  remained  there  nine  years, 
then  selling  out  and  moved  to  Oregon 


and  settled  near  Newburg  where  he 
now  resides.  Before  moving  to  Ore- 
gon he  had  never  heard  but  one  or  two 
Primitive  Baptist  sermons,  and  cared 
nothing  about  their  doctrine  until 
shown  in  a  dream  or  vision,  while  suf- 
fering from  an  attack  of  typhoid  fever, 
the  beauty  of  the  church  and  given  a 
sweet  hope  in  Jesus.  As  soon  as  able 
to  travel  he  began  to  hunt  for  the 
Primitive  Baptists  and  found  a  small 
band  by  name  of  Gale's  Creek  Church 
about  thirty  miles  from  Newburg.  Eld- 
er Moffitt  and  his  wife  joined  this 
church  June,  1895,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  Daniel  Lilly.  He  was  or- 
dained as  deacon  the  same  year  and 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry 
in  1898,  by  Elders  W.  S.  Matthews. 
Daniel  Lilly  and  J.  M.  Lawrence,  has 
the  care  of  three  churches  and  travels 
considerably  among  the  Baptists  of 
Washington  and  Oregon. 


J.   A.    MONSEES. 

Monsees,  Elder  J.  A.,  of  Macon,  Ga., 
was  born  August  31,  1883,  in  David- 
son County,  N.  C.,  in  which  county 
his  father  still  resides.  On  the  9th 
of  May,  1902,  an  impression  of  the 
magnitude  of  his  sins  and  guilt  seized 
upon  him  with  great  power.  With  sor- 
rowing heart  and  soul  crushed  under 
a  burden  of  guilt  and  condemnation, 
he  often  sought  solitude  where  he 
could,  secluded  from  the  scrutiny  ot 
man,  pour  out  his  heart  in  silent 
prayer  to  God  for  saving  mercy — not 
justice,  until  unexpectedly  on  the  28th 
of  August,  1903,  the  glorious  presence 
of  Jesus  shined  radiently  and  for- 
givingly into  his  soul,  with  the  sweet 
assurance    of    a   glorious    immortality 


180 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


beyond  the  grave.  After  such  "re- 
freshing from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord"  his  mind,  though  young  and 
tender  in  years,  was  directed  to  the 
Primitive  Baptists,  and  he  offered 
himself  to  Pine  Church,  Davidson 
County,  N.  C.,  September,  1903,  was 
received  and  baptized  by  Elder  W.  T. 
Broadway.  Two  months  later — (No- 
vember 7,  he  was  licensed,  and  in 
November,  1904,  was  ordained  by  Eld- 
ers J.  A.  Burch  and  W.  T.  Broadway, 
After  his  ordination  he  served  Big 
Creek  Church,  Montgomery  County, 
and  Pleasant  Hill  Church,  Irdell  Coun- 
ty, for  two  years,  and,  also,  traveled 
quite  extensively.  Then  for  nearly 
two  years  he  traveled  practically  all 
the  time,  principally  in  North  Caror 
lina,  Georgia  and  Virginia,  and  during 
his  ministry,  he  has  traveled  and 
preached  in  North  Carolina,  Virginia, 
Georgia,  Alabama,  Tennessee,  Ken- 
tucky, Ohio,  Indiana,  Missouri  and 
Texas,  and  has  been  favorably  re- 
ceived by  his  brethren  and  sustained 
by  the  grace  of  God.  His  best  efforts 
and  energies  are  being  put  forth  in 
the  dear  cause  of  Christ  and  the  time 
honored  principles  of  our  fathers — 
desiring  to  know  nothing  for  the  sal- 
vation of  sinners  except  Jesus  and 
Him  crucified,  and  no  practice  in  the 
church  except  the  practice  of  Christ 
and  His  Apostles. 


W,    M.    MONSES. 

Monses,  Elder  W.  M.,  of  Linwood,  N. 
C,  is  of  German  descent,  his  grand- 
parents emigrating  from  Germany  to 
Missouri.  He  was  born  in  Davidson 
County,  N.  C,  January  4,  1877,  raised 
by   Baptist   parents,    convicted   of   sin 


at  the  age  of  twelve  years_  received  a 
hope  in  his  twenty-fourth  year,  united 
with  the  church  at  Riedsville,  N.«  C.,, 
January,  1902,  and  baptized  by  Elder  L. 
H.  Hardy.  He  was,  in  1904  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Wallace,  ordained  in  1905, 
baptized  some,  assisted  in  two  ordi- 
nations and  the  constitution  of  two 
churches.  Elder  Monses  has  traveled 
and  preached  in  North  Carolina,  Vir- 
ginia, Georgia  and  Alabama  and  has 
been  well  received.  He  is  satisfied 
with  the  church  as  established  by 
Christ  and  maintained  by  the  Apostles 
and  wants  no  new  thing  added  or  any 
of  the  stakes  removed.  Elder  Monses 
is  a  brother  of  Elder  J.  A.  Monses  of 
Macon,  Ga.     • 


JOHN    C    MONTGOMERY. 

Montgomery,  Eider  John  C,  of  Illi- 
nois. This  lemarkable  man  died  June 
10,  1S91,  after  a  brief  illness  of  six 
days.  He  was  a  useful  minister  of  his 
day  and  served  Sangamon  Associa- 
tion as  moderator  for  ten  years  in 
succession.  The  editor  failing  to  se- 
cure detailed  information  of  Elder 
Montgomery's  life  and  labors  will 
quote  below  an  obituary  written  of 
himself,  by  himself,  April  8,  1901,  to 
be  read  at  his  funeral:  "Elder  John 
Montgomery  was  born  1817  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Md.,  was  married  to 
Sarah  Snider  January  22,  1839,  in 
Pennsylvania,  moved  to  Illinois  Octo- 
ber 15,  1848,  and  located  in  Sanga- 
mon County.  Joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  called  Lick  Creek  in 
July,  1850,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
Wm.  Crow  together  with  his  wife. 
Tn  1860,  he  moved  to  Christian 
County,  put  letters  in  the  Church 
called      Liberty.      Liberated      by    the 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


181 


church  to  exercise  his  gift  in  August 
1875,  and  in  July,  1876,  was  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  gospel."  It  may 
be  of  interest  to  know  that  he  also 
had  a  double  tombstone  prepared  for 
himself  and  placed  at  his  wifes  grave 
(who  proceeded  him  to  the  spirit 
world  about  three  years),  and  had  en- 
graved on  it:  "Sinners  Saved  by 
Grace."  He  desired  to  depart  and  died 
in  the  full  assurance  of  meeting  her 
with  the  Saviour. 


J.    A.    MOORE, 

Moore,  Elder  J.  A.,  of  Wortham, 
Texas.  This  worthy  brother  was 
born,  January,  1870,  in  Lauderdale 
County  Miss.,  moved  to  Texas,  with 
his  parents  in  1883,  received  a  hope  in 
Jesus  in  his  fifteenth  year  and  some 
years  afterwards  united  with  the  New 
School  or  Missionary  Baptists.  Be- 
coming dissatisfied,  he,  two  years  later, 
left  them  and  after  years  of  conflict  of 
mind  and  trials  from  without,  he  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists  at  New 
Hope  Church,  April,  1897.  In  1900  he 
moved  to  Jones  County,  Texas,  and  in 
a  short  time  returned  to  his  old  home, 
and  was,  in  October,  1905,  ordained 
at  New  Hope  Church'  by  Elders  S.  C. 
Kyle,  AV.  L.  Phillips,  A.  F.  Grafton  and 
T.  J.  Moore  the  last  named  being  his 
father,  who  baptized  him  and  has  for 
more  than  thirty  years  been  faithfully 
serving  in  the  cause  of  Jesus.  Elder 
Moore  is  following  in  the  footsteps  of 
his  aged  father,  is  serving  his  home 
church  and  two  others,  and  has  this 
year,  1907,  traveled  over  three  thou- 
sand miles,  partly  on  foot,  preached 
about  one  hundred  times  and  baptized 
several    into    the    fellowship    of    his 

churches  — ■ ■ — 

ALBERT     MOORE. 


Moore,  Elder  Albert,  who  many 
years  ago  died  at  his  home  in  Grena- 
da, Miss.,  was  born,  raised,  and  bap- 
tized in  North  Carolina,  and  at  an 
early  age  in  life  immigrated  to  Missis- 
sippi. He  was,  for  a  long  term  of 
years,  a  very  useful  minister  cf  the 
Primitive  Baptists,  serving  many 
churches  during  his  ministry;  and 
was  for  many  years  Moderator  of 
Fountain  Creek  Association.  For  want 
of  data  a  suitable  sketch  could  not  be 
prepared.  1 — 

ICHABOD     MOORE. 

Moore,  Elder  Ichabod,  a  son  of  Wil- 
liam Moore,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Mexi- 
can war  and  a  useful  minister  among 


the  Baptists.  He  was  born  in  Wilson 
County,  N.  C,  April  10,  1793,  convicted 
of  sin  and  given  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus 
in  his  eighteenth  year,  united  with  the 
Meadow  Church  Green  County,  1821, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Thomas 
Dupree.  He  was,  in  the  same  year  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry  by 
Benjamin  Dupree  and  Samuel  Moore. 
In  1832  he  with  others,  constituted  the 
church  at  White  Oak,  Wilson  County 
and  was  pastor  of  this  churh  until  his 
death.  Was  also  pastor  of  Toisnot, 
-  Black  Creek  and  Tyson  Churches.  Eld- 
er Moore  was  strong  in  the  faith,  pure 
in  life  and  brought  up  his  children  in 
the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord.  One  of  his  sons,  Elder  A.  J. 
Moore  of  Whitaker,  N.  C,  is  a  noted 
minister  of  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  and  feels  he  owes  much  to  the 
faithful  life  of  his  father. 


JEREMIAH    MOORE. 

Moore,  Elder  Jeremiah,  was  born  in 
Prince  William  County,  Va.,  June  7, 
1746,  united  with  Chappawamsick 
Church  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  D. 
Thomas.  This  old  church  was  for  a 
long  time  served  by  John  Clark.  Her 
present  pastor  is  J.  T.  Alexander.  Eld 
er  Moore  was  soon  after  baptism,  or- 
dained to  preach  and  during  his  long- 
service  in  the  Master's  vineyard,  under- 
went much  persecution.  Three  times 
he  was  arrested  for  preaching.  Once 
he  was  placed  in  jail  in  Alexandria  for 
this  offence,  but  God  was  with  him  in 
all  of  his  trials,  delivered  him  and 
blessed  his  labors  to  the  upbuilding 
of  his  spiritual  kingdom.  He  traveled 
and  preached  in  many  northern  and 
southern  states  but  his  labors  were 
principally  confined  to  Virginia  and 
Maryland.  He  died  at  a  ripe  old  age 
in  the  full  triumph  of  faith 


A.   J.    MOORE. 

Moore,  Elder  A.  J.  This  gifted  and 
successful  Primitive  Baptist  minister 
is  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  re- 
sides at  Whitakers.  He  was  born  Jan- 
uary IS,  1837,  educated  at  Wilson,  Ox- 
ford, and  the  Cniversity  of  North  Car- 
olina; left  college  in  1861  to  enter  the 
Confederate  service;  at  first  joined 
the  Orange  Light  Infantry  and  when 
this  company  was  disbanded,  he  went 
home  and  organized  a  company  in 
Pitt,  Wilson  and  Green  counties  which 
did  faithful  service  as  Co.  F  in  First 
Regiment  until  the  war  closed.   Capt. 


182 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Moore  was  wounded  in  a  charge  be- 
fore Battery  Wagener,  August,  1863, 
was  in  hospital  several  months  and 
afterwards  sent  home,  where  he  was, 
January,  18G4,  married  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Farmer  to  whom  he  had  been 
engaged  for  some  years.  Upon  his  re- 
covery he  returned  to  his  post  and 
proved  a  faithful,  fearless  officer  un- 
til the  fateful  day  at  Appamattox. 
Capt.  Moore,  after  being  under  con- 
viction for  sin  about  seven  years, 
united  with  the  church  at  Wilson,  N. 
C,  1870.  baptized  by  Elder  R.  D.  Hart 


A.   J.   MOORE 

and  ordained  by  Eiders  P.  D.  Gold  and 
B.  P.  Pitt,  December,  1873.  The  fol- 
lowing clipping  from  the  Gospel  Mes- 
senger of  1907,  written  by  Elder  S. 
Hassell,  gives  a  record  of  Elder 
Moore's  life  and  labors.  Elder  Hassell 
says  of  him:  "The  most  gifted  and 
successful  Primitive  Baptist  pastor 
that  I  know  of  in  the  United  States 
was  established  in  the  doctrine  of 
God  our  Saviour  before  he  had  a  hope 
in  Christ;  was  wounded  by  a  bullet 
in  the  elbow  of  his  right  arm  during 
the  War  between  the  States;  and  that 
arm  has  been  bent  almost  at  a  right- 
angle  ever  since;  has  had  beautiful 
and  wonderful  visions  in  exact  accord- 
ance with  the  Scriptures,  and  that 
have  been  fulfilled  in  his  life;  has 
been  a  farmer  and  a  teacher;  has 
reared  one  of  the  most  gentle,  upright, 
intelligent,  and  useful  families  of  nine 
children  to  be  found  anywhere;  is  a 
fine  gentleman  of  the  old  school;  has 
served  four  churches  every  Saturday 
and  Sunday,  except  one  or  two,  foi 
about  thirty  years,  going  on  the  trains 
and  riding  in  his  own  conveyance 
from   twenty     to   thirty     miles;    is    a 


sweet  singer;  fervent  in  prayer;  an 
excellent  doctrinal,  experimental,  and 
practical  preacher,  speaking  clearly, 
ably,  fluently,  and  eloquently  from  the 
heart  to  the  heart;  is  a  burning  and 
a  shining  light;  a  sheep-finder  and 
sheep-feeder;  a  discerner  of  spirits; 
an  abie  disciplinarian;  is  not  afraid 
of  the  face  of  clay;  but  is  bold  to 
declare,  in  any  presence,  what  he 
believes  the  Scriptures  teach,  and  is 
uncompromising  in  defense  of  the 
truth;  is  charming  and  liberal  to  his 
ministering  brethren  who  visit  him  at 
his  home  and  home  church;  preacnes 
Christ  nearly  all  the  time  both  out  of 
and  in  the  pulpit,  in  the  family  circle, 
on  the  public  and  the  private  road, 
and  everywhere;  has  built  up  more 
churches  and,  I  believe,  baptized  more 
white  members  than  any  other  Prim- 
itive Baptist  preacher  that  I  know  of; 
is  honored  and  admired  by  all  who 
know  him;  has  suffered  great  re- 
proach and  persecution  on  account  of 
his  indomitable  stand  for  truth  and 
righteousness;  has  been  blessed  of 
the  Lord  with  health  and  strength; 
has  one  of  the  loveliest  home 
churches  on  earth;  has  served  his 
churches  so  constantly  that  he  has 
made  but  few  and  short  preaching 
tours  away  from  them;  has  received 
very  little  financial  help  from  his 
churches;  has  no  confidence  whatever 
in  modern  religious  inventions;  never 
sent  any  of  his  children  to  a  Sunday 
school;  has  never  held  a  protracted 
meeting,  nor  had  an  organ  in  one  of 
his  churches;  depends  upon  the  pure, 
sweet,  old-fashioned  gospel  cf  Christ 
alone  to  attract  the  subjects  of  grace; 
has  been  my  most  intimate  friend  for 
about  xiity  years;  and  has  been,  for 
about  thirty  years,  the  beloved  and 
faithful  pastor  of  Kehukee  Church, 
near  Scotland  Neck,  Halifax  County, 
N.  C,  the  'Mother  Church  of  the  Moth- 
er Association  of  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Associations  of  the  United  States. 
He  is  no  hireling,  but  a  true  under- 
shepherd  who  cares  for  all  the  flock, 
instead  of  scheming  and  laboring  to 
get  their  fleece  for  himself;  he  is  an 
eminently  self-sacrificing  and  gracious 
and  gifted  and  successful  minister  of 
Jesus  Christ.  He  has  been  greatly 
blessed  of  the  Lord,  who  has  made 
him  a  great  blessing  to  his  family,  his 
churches,  his  community,  and  the 
world,  for  which  the  Lord  be  praised. 
If  all  our  ministers  were  like  him, 
they  would  need  no  heathen  or  Jewish 
or  modern  religious  inventions  to 
maintain  or  increase  the  number  of 
their  members." 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


183 


JOHN    H.    MOORE. 


Moore,  Elder  John  H.,  was  born  in 
Middletown,  Tenn.,  June  29,  1817.  He 
moved  to  Illinois  in  early  life,  united 
with  the  Old  School  Baptists  in 
Green  County,  Ills.,  in  the  year 
1842,  commenced  preaching  in  No- 
vember, 1844,  and  was  ordained 
to  the  ministry  in  the  year  1851; 
moved  to  Missouri  in  the  year  1857, 
and  was  one  of  the  pioneer  preach- 
ers of  that  country.  Some  time  dur- 
ing the  Civil  war  when  confusion 
and  distress  reigned  in  Missouri,  he 
went  back  to  Illinois.  He  returned 
to  Missouri  after  the  war  and  made 
that  his  home  the  remainder  of  his 
life  and  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most 
self-sacrificing  O.  S.  Baptist  preach- 
ers. He  attended  one  church  as  pas- 
tor for  one  year  that  was  forty  miles 
from  his  home  and  walked  the  entire 
distance  both  ways.  He  was  always 
poor  in  this  world's  goods  but  rich  in 
faith,  as  his  fidelity  to  the  cause  of 
truth  asserts.  One  time  desiring  to 
attend  an  association  one  hundred 
miles  away,  and  having  no  other  way 
of  getting  there,  he  walked  the  entire 
distance.  He  was  a  man  that  labored 
with  his  hands  but  was  not  a  suc- 
cessful manager,  so  that  he  never 
accumulated  much  property.  His  mind 
was  ever  engaged  on  the  subject  of 
salvation  by  the  grace  of  God.  He  was 
never  too  busy  to  talk  of  the  good- 
ness of  God  towards  poor  sinners.  His 
enjoyment  on  earth  was  the  company 
of  God's  saints.  His  preaching  was  as 


the  honey  in  the  honey-comb — ex- 
perience and  doctrine  combined — full 
of  marrow  and  fatness.  He  preached 
as  long  as  he  was  able  to  travel.  The 
last  few  years  of  his  life  infirmities 
kept  him  at  home,  and  sad  to  state, 
he  was  much  neglected  by  his  breth- 
ren in  his  old  days  after  his  labor  of 
love  was  done.  This  should  never  be 
the  case,  but  our  old  ministers  should 
be  cared  for.  The  testimony  of  such 
faithful  laborers  as  Elder  'Moore,  who 
pass  through  this  earth  surrounded 
with  trials,  troubles  and  disappoint- 
ments, yet  have  an  eye  single  unto 
the  glory  of  God,  shall  endure  when 
the  earth  and  its  contents  are  de- 
stroyed. He  died  January  23,  1905,  in 
his  eighty-eighth  year. 


SAMUEL   MOORE. 

Moore,  Elder  Samuel,  son  of  David 
and  Arsena  Moore,  was  born  February 
24,  1839,  on  a  farm  in  Pitt  County,  N. 
C,  and  lived  and  died  there,  Sunday, 
November  6,  1904^  in  his  sixty-sixth 
year.  He  was  married  December  7, 
1865,  to  Nancy  Ward,  daughter  of  Luke 
and  Mahala  Ward.  Experiencing  con- 
viction for  sin  and  a  hope  in  Christ,  he 
related  the  exercises  of  his  soul  to  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Great 
Swamp,  in  Pitt  County,  N.  C.  and  was 
received  for  membership  and  baptized 
in  July,  1871;  and  after  exercising  as  a 
licentiate  for  some  years,  he  was  or- 
dained in  July,  1884,  to  the  full  func- 
tions of  the  gospel  ministry.  He  was 
pastor,  for  several  years,  of  Great 
Swamp  Church  and  of  Cross  Roads 
Church  in  Edgecombe  County,  N.  C. 
He  was  a  humble<  sincere,  wise,  tender, 
faithful    servant'  of    Christ    and    His, 


184 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


people,  esteeming  spiritual  far  above 
natural  things,  and  choosing  rather  to 
suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of 
God  than  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of 
sin.  He  died  of  malarial  fever  termi- 
nating in  apoplexy;  and  even  in  his 
unconscious  moments,  he  would  be 
talking,  singing,  preaching  and  pray- 
ing with  his  brethren. 


SPENCER    F.    MOORE. 

Moore,  Elder  Spencer  F.,  of  Hayden, 
New  Mexico,  was  born  February  17, 
1864,  in  Saline  County  Illinois,  and 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Kansas  in 
the  year  1875,  where  he  first  felt  trou- 
bled under  conviction  for  sins  and  so 
continued  until  April  14,  1883,  when 
he  was  given  a  good  hope  of  salvation 
through  grace.  From  that  happy  hour 
he  has  felt  impressed  to  preach  the 
glad  tidings  of  eternal  life  thrpugh 
Christ.  In  1S90  he  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  Greenwood,  Col- 
orado, and  was  baptized  by  Elder  J. 
R.  Bolinger;  moved  to  Southwest  Mis- 
souri in  1891,  where  he  two  years 
later  made  his  first  effort  to  preach. 
Since  that  time  he  has  delivered  more 
than  two  thousand  discourses.  He  was 
ordained  February,  1896,  in  Bibb  Coun- 
ty, Ala.,  by  Elder  R.  F.  Papasan,  J. 
D.  McElroy  and  W.  S.  Brown.  Elder 
Moore  has  traveled  thousands  of 
miles  in  many  states  preaching  Jesus 
without  a  money  consideration.  He 
writes:  "My  travels  among  the  saints 
have  been  most  blessed  to  me  and  I 
will  ever  cherish  the  fond  memory  of 
their  kindness;  and  while  I  have  en- 
dured hardships  and  grief  in  many 
ways,  I  should  have  cause  of  shame 
to  murmur,  since  our  precious  Saviour 


sorrowed,  and  wept,  and  bled  and 
died, — a  spotless  sacrifice  for  the  res- 
cue and  salvation  of  his  poor  lost 
sheep." 


CLAYTON    MOORE. 

Moore,  Elder  Clayton  (1814-1881),  a 
native  of  Martin  County,  N.  C,  was 
one  of  the  ablest  ministers  of  the  New 
Testament  during  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury. In  1840  he  was  married,  and 
joined  the  Methodists,  and  was  li- 
censed to  preach,  and  began  a  circuit; 
but,  being  a  diligent  student  of  the 
Bible,  he  became  satisfied  before  the 
end  of  the  same  year,  of  the  great 
truths  of  God's  sovereignty  and  pre- 
destination and  election,  and  with- 
drew from  the  Methodists,  and  soon 
afterwards  joined  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  at  Picot,  of  which  he  be- 
came and  remained  pastor  till  his 
death.  He  had  a  clear  profound  mind, 
improved  by  careful  reading  and  re- 
flection, and  was  a  safe  counsellor,  an 
interesting  speaker  and  well-ground- 
ed in  the  doctrine  of  salvation  by 
grace.  On  his  death  bed,  when  his 
strength  was  fast  failing,  his  son,  Jas. 
E.  Moore,  a  member  of  his  church  and 
prominent  lawyer  of  Wlilliamston,  N. 
C,  knelt  beside  his  bedside  and  asked 
him  if  his  Christian  hope  was  as 
bright  and  strong  as  ever,  and  receiv- 
ed the  answer:  "Oh,  yes,  I  know  in 
whom  I  have  trusted;"  and  the  dying 
servant  of  God  began  to  talk  of  the 
reality  and  certainty  of  the  Christian's 
hope  and  life  beyond  this,  and  con- 
tinued to  talk  until  his  speech  became 
inaudible,  his  last  audible  words  be- 
ing: "The  counsel  of  peace."  He  then 
quietly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 


DAVID   R.   MOORE. 

Moore,  Elder  David  R,  This  highly 
esteemed  minister  was  born  March 
20,  1821,  in  Person  County,  N.  C,  and 
died  April  23,  1900.  He  was  concerned 
about  his  sins  from  his  earliest  recol- 
lection. At  the  age  of  thirty  years  he 
obtained  a  hope  in  Christ  Jesus,  went 
before  the  church  at  Flat  River,  June, 
1857,  and  related  the  dealings  of  the 
Lord  with  his  soul,  and  was  received 
and  baptized  and  remained  a  member 
of  this  church  until  the  day  of  his 
death.  He  was  ordained  November, 
1860,  and  while  he  lived  he  never  dis- 
graced his  holy  calling.  He  was 
unanimously  called   as  pastor  at  Flat 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


185 


River  Church  in  November,  18G5, 
where  he  remained  pastor  until  his 
death — an  under-shepherd,  going  in 
and  out,  preaching  the  word,  ever 
warning  the  church  against  evil  and 
sin,  exhorting  them  to  duty,  and  to 
let  brotherly  love  continue,  contend- 
ing for  salvation  by  grace,  and  grace 
alone,  election  and  foreknowledge  of 
God.  He  was  Moderator  of  the  Coun- 
try Line  Association  for  a  number  of 
years,  which  place  he  filled  with  hon- 
or, and  was  a  father  in  Israel — 'indeed, 
a  faithful  witness,  earnestly  contend- 
ing for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints.  He  was  sound  in  doctrine,  firm 
in  the  faith,  and  bore  the  marks  of 
Jesus,  was  one  of  the  most  successful 
and  most  beloved  pastors  in  the 
Country  Line  Association.  The 
churches  he  served  were  generally 
blessed  with  peace,  and  when  they 
needed  advice  they  sought  it  of  their 
pastor,  and  were  among  the  most 
prosperous  churches  in  the  associa- 
tion. 


W.    B.    MORGAN. 

Morgan,  Elder  W.  B.,  cf  Lafayette, 
Ala.,  was  born  in  Randolph  County, 
June  26,  1874.  His  parents  were  Mis- 
sionary, or  New  School  Baptists,  and 
he  was  taught  their  doctrine  and  prac- 
tice. He  was  raised  up  to  hard  la- 
bor and  had  poor  opportunities  to 
obtain  an  education.  In  his  fifteenth 
year  he  was  convicted  of  sin,  Two 
years  later  he  experienced  deliverance 
united  with  the  New  School  Baptists 


and  was  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
preaching  Jesus.  But  feeling  too 
young  and  insufficient  in  many  ways 
he  kept  this  impression  a  secret.  He 
had  heard  many  hard  things  said 
about  the  Primitive  or  Old  School 
Baptists,  but  it  was  1892  before  he 
heard  one  preach.  He  was  at  onct 
interested.  The  preaching  was  sweet 
to  him  because  it  was  in  harmony 
with  his  own  feelings.  Though  he 
tried  to  remain  satisfied  with  his  own 
people  he  could  not.  He  was  equally 
unable  to  forget  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists and  found  himself  loving  them 
more  and  more,  and  in  June,  189G,  he 
united  with  them,  though  in  doing  so 
he  had  to  meet  much  opposition 
from  those  of  his  former  connection, 
even  his  parents  opposing  his  course. 
But  God  had  a  work  for  him  to  do. 
After  much  drawing  back  on  his  part 
and  the  afflicting  rod  sent  upon  him 
he  was  made  willing  to  preacn  Jesm 
and  was  ordained  December,  1902. 
Since  then  he  has  baptized  his  father, 
mother,  brother  and  sister,  and  more 
than  a  hundred  others  into  the  fel- 
lowship of  the  church.  He  has  the 
care  of  four  curches  and  his  labors 
are  being  blessed  of  the  Lord. 


DANIEL   M.   MORGAN. 

Morgan,  Elder  Daniel  M.,  was  born 
in  Overton  County,  Tenn.,  1809,  in 
1827  was  convinced  that  he  was  a 
helpless  sinner,  in  1832  obtained  a 
hope  in  Christ  in  Franklin  County, 
Mo.,  in  1835  joined  the  Baptist  Church 
in  Jackson  County,  Tenn.,  and  in  1842 
commenced  to  preach  Jesus  the  truth 
the  way  of  life.  He  was  an  eye  wit- 
ness to  many  of  the  troubles  among 
the  Baptists  in  consequence  of  the 
efforts  cf  modern  missionism;  and 
said  in  a  published  letter  sometime 
before  his  death,  "In  order  that  no 
person  may  be  deceived  I  frankly  con- 
fess myself  to  be  one  of  those  char- 
acters who  feel  it  their  duty  to  defend 
that  unpopular  doctrine  called  pre- 
destination and  election,  contending 
that  salvation  is  entirely  of  grace,  and 
that  practical  godliness  is  the  fruit 
of  the  operation  of  God."  Elder  Mor- 
gan was  a  bold  defender  of  the  truth 
in  Jesus  as  he  saw  it  and  was  faith- 
ful until  the  end. 


A.    B.    MORRIS. 

Morris,  Elder  A.  B.,  of  Oxford, 
Miss.,  was  born  near  Lexington, 
Holmes  County,  Miss.,  in  184G,  reared 


186 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


by  Primitive  Baptist  parents,  given  a 
common  rural  school  education,  and 
was  early  exercised  in  mind  about  his 
future  destiny,  and  after  nine  years  of 
great  mental  distress  he  was  given  a 
good  hope  in  Christ  as  his  all  suf- 
ficient and  merciful  Saviour.  This  oc- 
curred in  1SG3.  In  1866  he  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists.  From  the  time 
he  was  given  a  hope  in  Christ  he  felt 
deeply  moved  by  a  power  he  did  not 


JOHN    M.    MORROW. 

Morrow,  Elder  John  M.,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  was  born  April 
3.  1848.  At  the  age  of  three  years 
his  father  died  and  he  was  rais- 
ed by  a  widowed  mother  who  was 
a  woman  of,  far  more  than  average 
ability,  a  strict  disciplinarian,  and 
true  Primitive  Baptist.  At  an  early 
age  he   was   convicted   of   sin   and   af- 


A.    B.    MORRIS 

resist  and  felt  he  could  not  over- 
come to  preach  Jesus,  and  soon  began 
exercising  in  the  church  by  introduc- 
ing services  and  some  times  speaking 
a  few  minutes.  He  was  ordained  in 
1870  by  Elders  E.  A.  M,eaders,  M.  C.  C. 
Maples  and  J.  Castleberry,  and  has 
since  had  the  care  of  four  churches 
in  the  bounds  of  the  Hopewell  Asso- 
ciation. He  has  been  a  member  of  this 
association  thirty-nine  years  and  has 
attended  every  session,  to  the  present, 
and  has  for  many  years  been  serving 
this  association  as  Moderator.  Elder 
Morris  has  traveled  and  preached  in 
most  of  the  Southern  states,  is  a 
strong  preacher,  and  his  labors  are 
being  blessed  of  the  Lord  to  the  good 
of  His  people. 


ter  much  sorrow  of  mind  was  deliver- 
ed of  the  burden,  given  a  hope  in 
Jesus,  and  united  with  Sandy  Branch 
Church,  Weakly  County,  Tenn.,  1878. 
Soon  after  this  he  moved  to  Texas 
and  was  there  ordained  to  the  minis- 
try. A  full  sketch  of  his  labors  could 
noc  be  obtained. 


A.   G.   MORTON. 

Morton,  Elder  A.  G.,  of  Albermarle, 
N.  C.,  was  born  in  Stanley  County,  N. 
C,  July  13,  1864,  convicted  of  his  lost 
condition  on  account  of  sin  in  1876 — 
and  was  in  deep  grief  and  trouble  till 
1886,  when  the  Lord  spoke  peace  to 
his  troubled  soul  and  after  then  he 
had  a  strong  desire  to  follow  Christ  in 
baptism,  and  becoming  established  in 
faith  that  the  Primitive  Baptists  were 
the  Apostolic  church  of  Christ  he 
joined  at  Jones  Hill  in  1887.  A  few 
years  after  this  he  was  ordained,  and 
is  an  able  and  sound  preacher.  His 
labors  are  blessed  much  to  the  com- 
fort of  the  church.  Elder  Morton  is 
physically  a  very  delicate  man,  yet 
besides  serving  the  churches  he  has 
a  mercantile  business  and  a  flarm  and 
is  a  man  of  energy  and  industry.  He 
has  never  traveled  very  extensively, 
perhaps  on  account  of  his  secular 
business,  but  is  gladly  received  wher- 
ever he  does  go.  , 


JOHN    GREEN    MURRAY. 

Murray,  Elder  John  Green  (1832- 
1899)  fourth  son  of  Elder  James  Mur- 
ray, was  born  in  Houston  County,  Ga.,. 
married  to  Miss  Ellenora  Yelverton 
in  1858;  baptized  at  the  church  where 
he  was  buried,  by  Elder  John  Rowe, 
August,  1869;  was  liberated  to  preach 
May,  1870;  and  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  September,  1872, 
Elders  J.  Murray,  J.  R.  Respess  and 
John  Rowe  serving  as  the  presbytery. 
He  was  always  ready  to  go  where  duty 
called  in  sickness,  in  health  and  in  cold 
and  rain,  esteeming  no  privation  too 
great  when  he  felt  he  could  profit  any 
who  were  in  need  of  his  service. 
When  other  preachers  were  called  on 
to  go  to  funerals,  marriages,  and  to 
see  the  sick,  or  comfort  some  one  in 
sorrow,  or  to  attend  ordinations  and 
constitution  of  churches,  and  did  not 
feel  like  going,  Brother  Murray  was 
always  looked  to  as  a  sure  substi- 
tute. Although  feeble  of  body  and  poor 
in   this   world's  goods,   nothing  but   a 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


187 


physical  impossibility  turned  him 
back.  He  never  seemed  to  consult  his 
own  convenience  or  comfort  but  that 
of  others  who  needed  his  presence.  He 
was  peculiarly  gifted  in  explaining 
points  in  his  preaching  by  plain,  sim- 
ple illustrations,  and  was  one  of  the 
few  who  could  bring  out,  and  apply  to 
Christian  experience,  the  facts  of  the 
Old  Testament,  which  are  to  so  many 
sealed,  and  without  signification.  Bro. 
Murray  was  the  Moderator  of  Upatoie 
Association  for  many  years,  and  a 
faithful  minister  of  Jesus  for  twenty- 
nine  years. 


J.   M.    MURRAY. 

Murray,  Elder  J.  M.,  of  Ellaville,  Ga. 
This  able  minister  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment is  the  beloved  Moderator  of  the 
Upatoie  Association  of  Primitive  Bap- 
tists, and  the  faithful  pastor  of  Phil- 
lipi,  Good  Hope  and  Mt.  Nebo 
churches,  and  the  editor  regrets  that 
a  more  complete  sketch  of  his  life  and 
labors   could   not  appear. 


M.   K.   MYATT. 

Myatt,  Elder  M.  K.,  of  Clinton,  Ky., 
was   born  in   Dickson    County,    Tenn., 


December  29,  1838.  In  youth  he  was 
convicted  of  sin  and  set  about  to  bet- 
ter his  condition,  and  while  under  the 
law,  trying  to  establish  his  own  right- 
eousness, was  impressed  with  the  duty 
of  preaching,  but  felt  determined  that 
if  he  ever  did,  he  would  not  preach 
the  old  despised  doctrine  of  grace,  but 
the  doctrine  of  the  Methodist  or  Pres- 
byterians. Soon  after  this  God  blessed 
him  with  eyes  to  see  himself  as  he 
was,  and  he  now  loved  this  doctrine 
but  felt  unworthy  a  place  in  the 
church.  He  was,  in  1876,  made  willing 
to  offer  to  the  Baptists  for  member- 
ship and  was  baptized  into  their  fel- 
lowship. Immediately  after  uniting 
with  the  church  he  was  deeply  im- 
pressed to  preach  Jesus,  and  after 
drawing  back  and  feeling  the  afflict- 
ing hand  of  God  he  was  made  willing 
to  be  anything  in  the  church, — was 
soon  ordained  and  has  since  proven  a 
true,  faithful  soldier  on  the  walls  of 
Zion.  Elder  Myatt  is  a  farmer,  and, 
like  Paul  would  not  be  a  burden  to 
the  church,  but  prefers  to  labor  with 
his  own  hands  when  not  doing  minis- 
terial work.  May  his  brethren  appre- 
ciate his  labors,  love  him  for  the 
work's  sake  and  minister  unto  him  of 
their  carnal  things,  freely.  Elder 
Myatt  is  associate  editor  of  Zion's 
Advocate. 


Mc 


SAMUEL  McBEE. 

McBee,  Elder  Samuel,  was  one  of 
the  members  in  the  organization  of 
Union  Church,  afterwards  called 
Sweetens  Cove,  Marion  County,  Tenn., 
which  was  organized  in  October,  1821. 
He  was  a  deacon  and  was  ordained 
minister  in  1823,  was  chosen  pastor  in 
1824  and  served  in  that  capacity  for 
a  number  of  years.  Some  time  later 
he  moved  to  Dade  County,  Ga.,  and 
became  a  member  of  New  Providence 
Church  near  Trenton.  He  was  mar- 
ried twice  and  reared  a  large  family. 
He  was  Moderator  of  his  association, 
Sequachee  Valley,  as  late  as  1861,  and 
died  in  the  early  '60's  at  a  ripe  old 
age,  having  been  born  some  time  near 
the  close  of  the  Revolution.  Elder  Mc- 
Bee was  considered  by  the  Old  Bap- 
tists of  his  day  an  able  and  strong 
defender  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible. 
Old  people  who  remember  him  praise 
him  highly  as  a  man.  It  is  said  that 
his  wife  taught  him  to  read  and  write 


when  he  began  to  preach,  it.  is  related 
of  him  that  on  one  occasion  some 
learned  man  had  heard  him  preach, 
and  supposing  from  his  language  that 
he  had  special  theological  training, 
asked  him  what  college  he  had  at- 
tended. He  replied,  "Bush  College." 
The  man  said  he  had  never  heard  of 
that  college  and  asked  where  it  was. 
Elder  McBee  replied  "In  the  bushes 
on  my  knees." 


J.  R,  McCARTY. 

McCarty,  Elder  J.  R.,  of  LaCross, 
Okla.  This  brother  received  a  hope  in 
the  Saviour  in  his  seventeenth  year, 
and  flrom  that  time  had  an  impression 
to  preach  Jesus  to  others  as  the  way, 
the  truth  and  the  life.  He  was  baptized 
by  Elder  R.  A.  Biggs  and  encouraged 
by  him  to  go  forward  in  duty's  way. 
Though  young  in  the  ministry  he  man- 
ifested  a   deep   interest  in   the   peace 


188 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


and  prosperity  of  Zion  and  contends 
earnestly  for  the  faith  once  delivered 
unto  the  saints. 


JAS.   W.    McCLANAHAN. 

McClanahan,  Elder  Jas.  W.,  of  Lan- 
ham,  W.  Va.,  was  born  August  20, 
1S51,  convicted  of  sin  in  1880  and  for 
about  two  years  was  in  darkness,  but 
in  1882  he  was  given  a  sweet  hope  in 
Jesus  and  made  to  feel  he  would 
never  have  more  trouble.  But  in  this 
he  was  mistaken  for  he  was  impressed 
with  the  duty  of  preaching  Jesus  to 
others,  and  viewing  himself  so  un- 
qualified for  such  a  calling  he  was 
again  in  distress  of  mind,  and  for 
eight  years  he  fought  against  the 
promptings  of  duty  to  unite  with  the 
church  and  speak  of  the  Saviour  of 
sinners.  He  joined  the  Baptists  in 
1890,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  W. 
A.  Melton.  Three  years  later  he  was 
ordained  to  the  gospel  work.  He  has 
traveled  and  preached  in  several 
states  and  desires  to  know  nothing 
but  Jesus  and  Him  crucified  for  the 
salvation  of  sinners.  His  churches  are 
being  blessed  of  the  Lord  under  his 
faithful  ministry. 


G.    B.    McCLANAHAN. 


McClanahan,  Elder  G.  B.,  of  West 
Virginia,  was  born  August  20,  1851, 
united  with  the  Old  School  Baptists, 
and  in   1906  was  ordained  to  the  gos- 


pel ministry  by  Elders  A.  H.  Ham- 
mond, J.  W.  Wyatt  and  J.  H.  Terry. 
He  is  able  and  sound  in  the  faith.  The 


G.    B.    M  CLANAHAN 


editor     regrets   that   a     fuller   sketch 
could  not  be  obtained. 


JOHN    McCONNELL. 

McConnell,  Elder  John,  of  New  York 
City.  This  able  minister  of  the  New 
Testament  was  born  July  31,  1858,  in 
Streetsville,  Ontario,  Canada.  Was 
raised  and  educated  under  Methodist 
influences,  and  until  the  age  of  twen- 
ty-eight years  contended  for  that  doc- 
trine. But  the  Lord  became  his  teach- 
er, convicted  him  of  sin,  gave  him  a 
sweet  hope  in  Jesus  and  a  love  for 
His  cause  and  on  September  5,  1886, 
he  was  baptized  by  Elder  Wim.  J.  Pur- 
ington  in  the  fellowship  of  the  Old 
S'chool  Baptist  Church  at  Hopewell, 
N.  J.  Several  years  later  he  was  dis- 
missed to  the  watchcare  of  the  Salem 
Church  in  Pniladelphia,  and  thence  to 
the  Ebenezer  Church  in  New  York 
city.  On  June  6,  1899,  he  was  ordained 
by  the  latter  church  to  the  full  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry.  The  following 
year  he  accepted  the  pastoral  care  of 
that  church,  in  which  relationship  he 
still  continues.  Elder  McConnell  is  a 
faithful  and  earnest  contender  for  the 
faith  once  delivered  unto  the  saints,  is 
satisfied  with  the  order  of  God's  house 
and  desires  not  to  take  from  or  add 
thereto.  He  seldom  travels  and  there- 
fore is  little  known  away  from  home, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


189 


but  is  greatly  loved  by  his  brethren 
and  highly  esteemed  wherever  he  is 
known,  and  the  editor  regrets  that  a 


JOHN    M'CONNELL 

more  extended   notice  of  his  life  and 
labors  cannot  appear. 


J.  G.  McCORD. 

McCord,  Elder  J.  G.,  of  Dothan,  Ala. 
This  minister  was  raised  under  Metho- 
dist influences,  taught  their  doctrine 
and  felt  that  he  could  make  peace 
with  God  at  any  time  and  get  religion 
whenever  he  wanted  it.  But  the  Lord 
opened  the  eyes  of  his  understanding- 
convicted  him  of  sin,  led  him  in  a  way 
he  knew  not,  gave  him  a  view  of  the 
church  and  a  love  for  it.  Yet  he  was 
not  obedient  to  the  heavenly  vision, 
knew  his  Master's  will  but  did  it  not 
and  was  beaten  with  many  stripes. 
After  years  of  disobedience  he  in  1871 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  R.  W.  Carlisle. 
In  March,  1884,  he  was  ordained  by 
Elders  Joel  Helm  and  J.  J.  Shields 
and  has  in  his  preaching  known  noth- 
ing but  Jesus  and  Him  crucified.  He 
is  satisfied  with  the  old  church  and 
wants  no  new  doctrine  and  practice 
introduced  to  cause  division  in  the 
redeemed  family. 


W.   J.    McCORMACK. 

McCormack,  Elder  W.  J.,  of  Dora, 
Ala.,  was  born  in  Randolph  County, 
December  23,  1847,  professed  a  hope 
in  Christ  about  the  year  1877,  unitea 


with  the  Missionary  or  New  School 
Baptists  and  was  by  them  licensed  to 
preach.  Becoming  dissatisfied  with 
their  doctrine  and  practice,  he,  in 
about  three  years  afterward,  left  them 
and  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church,  and  was  baptized  into  the  fel- 
lowship of  Sardis  Church  1880  by 
Elder  John  M.  Barton.  In  1882 
he  was  ordained  to  the  full  ministerial 
work  and  has  been  serving  churches 
since.  Elder  McCormack  has  a  fam- 
ily of  ten  children  and  while  trying  to 
serve  the  church  has  also  wcrked 
hard  to  support  and  rear  his  family, 
proving  his  love  for  the  cause  by  his 
labors  of  faith,  love  and  sacrifice. 


H.   R.   McCOY. 

McCoy,  Elder  H.  R.  (1828-1886),  was 

one  of  the  most  concise,  clear,  logical 
reasoners  and  expounders  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  of  his  day.  His 
careful  research,  keen  analysis,  and 
able  defense  of  the  teaching  of  the 
Word  of  God,  and  was  admired  even 
by  those  who  did  not  agree  with 
him  on  the  doctrine  of  salva- 
tion. He  was  born  in  Henry  Coun- 
ty, Georgia,  entered  the  Confed- 
erate army  1862,  as  captain  of  his 
company,  was  soon  made  major  of  the 
34th  Alabama  Regiment,  and  after 
the  war  served  several  years  in  the 
legislature  of  his  adopted  state — Ala- 
bama. He  first  united  with  the  Mis- 
sionary or  New  School  Baptists,  but 
soon  became  dissatisfied  with  their 
doctrine,  as  well  as  things  practiced 
by  that  denomination,  and  left  them 
and  joined  the  Primitive  Baptists  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  J.  G.  Edon.  In 
May,  1858,  he  was  ordained  by  Elder 
Moses  Gunn,  John  M.  Duke  and  V.  D. 
Whatley,  and  after  a  life  of  zealous 
work  and  faithful  warfare  finished  his 
course  with  joy  in  the  triumphs  of  a 
living  faith. 


james  Mcdonald. 

McDonald,  Elder  James  This  gifted 
and  faithful  brother  lives  at  Goin, 
Tenn.  He  was  born  September  21, 
1829,  in  Campbell  County,  moved  to 
Indiana  in  youth  and  in  1855  profess- 
ed a  hope  in  Christ,  united  with  the 
church  the  following  year  and  in  1862 
was  ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry. 
He  has  traveled  and  preached  in  Can- 
ada, and  the  states  of  Indiana,  Mich- 
igan, Ohio,  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and 
Virginia.   His   first  attempt  to   preach 


190 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


was  August,  1860 — using  Jno.  19-30  as 
a  text, — iand  for  the  past  forty-eight 
years  he  has  been  preaching  a  finish- 
ed salvation  in  Jesus  for  all  the  elect. 
Elder  McDonald  is  nearly  eighty  years 
old  but  is  a  strong  defender  of  the 
truths  of  the  gospel,  with  tongue  and 
pen.  He  is  associate  editor  of  the 
"F~otprints  of  the  Flock,"  and  is  an 
interesting  writer. 


JAS.    HAMILTON     McDONALD. 

McDonald,  Elder  Jas.  Hamilton,  of 
Olympia,  Wash.,  "was  born  in  Aber- 
deen, Scotland,  November  1,  1S40,  re- 
ceived a  hope  in  Pennsylvania  in  1855, 
united  with  Pisgah  Church,  Laclede 
County,  Mo.,  in  1870,  and  was  crdain- 
ed  in  1872.  He  served  in  the  Missouri 
legislature  in  the  session  of  1874-76, 
is  a  graduate  of  the  American  Medic- 
al College,  of  St.  Louis,  Mb.,  and  has 
practiced  his  profession  several  years, 
but  is  at  present  in  the  service  of  the 
U.  S.  treasury  department  at  Olympia, 
Wash.,  and  preaches  when  opportunity 
presents."  This  brief  sketch  is  from 
Elder  Cash's  book,  1896,  and  it  is  with 
regret  that  the  editor  failed  to  secure 
data  from  which  to  prepare  a  more 
complete  sketch. 


w.  s.  Mcdowell. 

McDowell,  Elder  W.  S.,  was  born 
August  2,  1S22,  in  the  county  of  Hal- 
ifax, Va.,  and  died  December  31,  1897. 


When  quite  a  young  man  he  moved  to 
Pittsylvania  County,  Va.,  and  soon 
thereafter  became  a  minister  of  the 
Baptist  Church  of  which  he  was  a 
member.  Elder  McDowell  was  an  hon- 
est farmer,  labored  with  his  own 
hands  for  the  support  of  himself  and 
those  that  were  with  him.  He  was  a 
preacher  about  forty  years  and  was 
an  able  defender  of  the  truth  and  felt 
that  he  was  set  for  the  defense  of  the 
gospel.  No  doubt  many  thought  he 
used  the  sword  unmercifully.  He  glor- 
ied in  salvation  by  grace  and  felt 
great  concern  for  the  welfare  of  the 
churches,  watching  closely  every  in- 
vasion. He  was  rigil  with  young 
preachers,  but  meant  it  for  their 
good  and  the  safety  of  the  churches. 
He  endeared  himself  with  his  breth- 
ren by  his  earnest  labors  for  their 
good,  and  often  admonished  them  to 
be  true  to  the  cause  of  God  and  truth. 


j.  d.  Mcelroy. 

McElroy,  Elder  J.  D.,  of  Pearson, 
Ala.,  was  born  January  12,  1857.  Both 
parents  died  when  he  was  about  four 
years  old  and  he  was  raised  by  his 
grandfather,  Deason.  When  about  six- 
teen years  old  he  was  given  a  hope 
in  Jesus,  united  with  the  New  School 
or  Missionary  Baptists,  but  feeling 
this  was  not  his  home,  he  about  three 
years  later,  joined  the  Old  School 
Baptists,  and  was  by  them  ordained  to 
the  full  work  of  the  ministry  and  has 
been  serving  four  churches  most  of 
the  time  since.  He  is  a  great  lover  of 
singing  and  in  his  young  manhood  pre- 
pared himself  as  a  vocal  music  teach- 
er. For  most  of  the  time  during  the 
past  twenty-five  years  he  has  served 
Little  Hope  Association  as  Modera- 
tor, has  assisted  in  the  constitution 
of  two  churches  and  the  ordination  of 
six  ministers  and  several  deacons,  has 
baptized  about  seventy-five  persons 
and  officiated  in  many  marriages,  is 
postmaster  at  his  home  town  and 
proprietor  of  a  mercantile  business, 
has  reared  an  industrious  and  lovely 
family  of  children,  and  is  a  faithful 
minister,  but  feels  that  he  is  too  much 
confined  bv  secular  affairs. 


W.   J.   McGEE. 

McGee,  Elder  W.  J.,  of  Georgia.  This 
highly  esteemed  brother  was  born 
December  5,  1816,  died  February  7, 
1896.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Emma 
White   on   September   4,   1838,  and   to 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


191 


this  union  was  born  eleven  children, 
nine  still  living.  These  children  nearly 
all  have  large  families  which  make 
up  a  large  number  of  grand  and  great- 
grandchildren, number  in  all  about 
ninety.  Elder  McGee  professed  a  hope 
in  Christ  and  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptists  in  his  twentieth  year  and  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  min- 
istry by  Elders  A.  Keeton,  and  I.  L. 
Pennington.  This  old  veteran  was  in 
the  division  of  the  Missionaries  and 
Old  Baptist;  he  stood  then  on  the 
Primitive  Baptist  side  and  maintained 
the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  and 
continued  to  preach  and  practice  that 
faith  for  nearly  forty  years  without 
ever  being  censured  by  the  church 
for  any  cause.  Always  prompt 
in  filling  his  appointments  and  being 
so  very  mild  in  his  delivery,  he  made 
friends  wherever  it  was  his  lot  to  go. 
He  was  also  a  man  that  wielded  a 
great  influence  in  the  way  of  keeping- 
peace  and  harmony  among  the 
churches,  and  was  indeed  an  under- 
shepherd,  sent  of  the  Lord. 


FRANK   McGLADE. 


McGlade,  Elder  Frank,  of  Hebron, 
O.  This  gifted  preacher  was  born  in 
Warren  County,  O.,  July  G,  1853; 
christened  by  a  Catholic  priest  when 
six  years  old;  born  again  May,  1872; 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Old 
School  Baptist  Church  called  Sugar 
Creek,  at  Centerville,  Montgomery 
County,  O.,  by  Elder  John  A.  Thomp- 
son. Soon  after  this  he  was  impressed 
with  the  duty  of  preaching  Jesus  to 
others,  but  rebelled.  In  regard  to  this 
trial  of  his  life  he  writes  as  follows: 


"The  Lord  told  me  to  preach  but 
I  fought  against  it.  He  kept  on  and 
on  telling  me,  morning,  noon  and  night 
and  between  times.  I  ran  away.  He 
followed  me,  brought  me  back,  said 
'preach  the  gospel  I  bid  you.'  He  made 
me  willing,  made  me  afraid  of  Him. 
I'm  afraid  not  to  go.  I  believe  from 
experience  that  God  is  not  only  a  sov- 
ereign, but  his  will  is  absolute.  His 
will  controls  mine."  Elder  McGlade  is 
a  strong  doctrinal,  as  well  as  experi- 
mental preacher. 


F.   M.   McLEROY. 

McLeroy,  Elder  F.  M.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Clarke, 
now  Oconee  County,  Georgia,  Septem- 
ber 18,  1827,  and  spent  his  whole  life 
in  Clarke,  with  the  exception  of  seven 
years,  six  of  which  he  lived  in  Walton, 
and  one  in  Morgan  County.  He  was 
raised  by  poor  parents,  and  received 
only  a  limited  education.  Until  he  be- 
came of  age  he  worked  at  various  oc- 
cupations, but  upon  reaching  his  ma- 
jority, engaged  in  the  milling  business, 
in  which  he  spent  the  prime  of  his 
life.  From  his  earliest  recollection  he 
had  serious  thoughts  of  lire  and  death, 
but  always  considered  that  he  would 
have  ample  time  to  look  after  the 
great  questions  of  eternity  when  he 
became  a  man,  married,  and  settled 
down.  April,  1847,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  Jane  Wise,  who  was,  like 
himself,  at  that  time  under  conviction. 
In  three  short  months  she  died,  leav- 
ing him  without  a  friend  in  earth  or 
heaven,  as  he  expressed  it.  His  life 
was  now  most  desolate.  He  said  of 
himself      that    he    often      retired    into 


192 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


some  secret  place,  and  tried  to  pray 
to  God,  and  then  would  prostrate 
himself  to  the  earth,  and  pray  the 
Lord  to  forgive  the  sins  he  had  com- 
mitted in  trying  to  pray.  But  he  was 
given  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  and  in 
October,  1847,  united  with  the  church 
at  Mars  Hill,  and  was  baptized  by  Eld- 
er George  Lumpkin.  On  the  9th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1849,  he  was  married  to  Mass 
Lucinda  Edison,  who  survives  him. 
Immediately  after  joining  the  church 
he  began  to  be  impressed  to  proclaim 
the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  but  con- 
tinued in  doubt  and  hesitation  for 
about  fifteen  years.  During  this  time 
he  tried  in  every  possible  way  to  rid 
himself  of  this  impression.  He  would 
use  various  methods  of  excusing  him- 
self, but  became  reconciled,  and  was 
ordained  November,  1865,  by  Elders 
D.  Wi.  Patman,  W.  D.  Chandler,  and 
W.  M.  Almond.  During  his  ministerial 
labors  he  served  ten  churches,  some 
of  them  for  many  years,  baptized  about 
200  members,  assited  in  constituting 
four  churches,  and  in  ordaining  thir- 
teen preachers,  and  thirty  or  more 
deacons.  According  to  his  own  state- 
ment, which  seems  to  me  to  be  very 
modest,  lie  traveled  enough  by  private 
conveyance  to  have  circled  the  globe 
three  times,  besides  thousands  of 
miles  by  rail.  In  1865  he  was  chosen 
clerk  of  the  Oconee  Association,  which 
position  he  held  till  elected  Moderator 
about  1S85.  He  was  Moderator  of  this 
Association  at  his   death. 


PHILLIP    MclNTURFF. 

Mclnturff,  Elder  Phillip,  of  Virginia. 
This  faithful  servant  of  God,  son  of 
David  Mclnturff,  was  born  in  Powells 


Fort,  Shenandoah  County,  Va.,  August 
29,  1815,  and  died  in  West  Virginia, 
August  28,  1886.  lacking  one  day  of 
reaching  his  seventy-first  mile-post  on 
the  road  of  time.  Early  in  life  he  heard 
of  the  strange  doctrine,  so-called,  that 
was  being  preached  by  Elder  James 
Ireland  and  determined  to  hear  for 
himself,  crossing  two  mountains  in 
order  to  meet  him.  Though  his  father 
became  deeply  concerned  in  religion, 
was  given  a  hope  in  Jesus  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Ireland  yet  he  did 
not  until  about  1845  make  a  public 
profession  of  a  hope  in  the  Saviour, 
when  he  was  baptized  by  Elder  W.  C. 
Lauck.  His  conviction  for  sin  was 
deep,  his  burden  of  guilt  heavy,  and  so 
cast  down  was  he  the  night  before  he 
was  enabled  to  claim  a  hope  in  Jesus 
that  he  fully  expected  to  commit  sui- 
cide. But  "in  man's  extremity  is  God's 
opportunity,"  and  when  he  came  to  the 
end  of  the  law  expecting  to  find  death 
iie  found  Christ,  and  soon  began  to 
publish  salvation  to  others.  Long  be- 
fore he  had  a  change  of  heart  or  united 
with  the  church  he  had  an  impression 
to  preach  though  he  would  not,  at  the 
time,  admit  it.  He  began  preaching  in 
1855.  Was  soon  ordained.  Elder  W. 
C.  Lauck  who  baptized  him  and  who 
united  him  in  marriage  to  Miss  Cather- 
ine Mauck  of  Page  County,  Va.,  deliv- 
ered the  ordination  charge.  Until  he 
became  he^less  he  was  a  zealous,  ac- 
tive and  able  minister,  going  far  and 
near  bearing  the  blood-stained  banner 
of  Jesus.  He  crossed  the  Allegheny 
mountains  one  hundred  and  thirtyr-nine 
times  on  preaching  tours,  served  the 
following  churches  during  life:  Mill 
Creek  and  Hawksbill  in  Page  County, 
and  Dry  Run,  Shenandoh  County  Va. 
Enon,  Great  Cacopon  and  Ten  Mile  in 
West  Virginia;  Tonoloway  in  Mary- 
land ;  Meadow  Run,  Ruff's  Creek  and 
Red  Stone  in  Pennsylvania,  and  trav- 
eled considerable  in  the  middle-western 
states.  Elder  Mclntruff ,,  though  favored 
with  only  what  is  now  termed  a  "log- 
cabin"  education,  was  one  of  nature's 
noblemen  and  an  able  defender  of  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  After  filling  an 
appointment  in  Cincinnati  on  one  occa- 
sion a  strange  gentleman  sent  him  an 
overcoat  with  the  message,  "Any  man 
who  can  preach  as  you  did  ought  to 
have  a  new  coat,"  at  the  same  time 
concealing  his  name.  Upon  two  occa- 
sions he  preached  in  a  Methodist 
church  in  Baltimore  much  to  the  grati- 
fication and  comfort  of  a  spiritually- 
minded  Methodist  friend,  and  to  the 
discomfort  of  the  minister  in  charge. 
Many  were  the  combats  this  faithful 
man  had  with  Arminians.  Some  being 
public    discussions,    and    the    Baptists 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


193 


felt  the  cause  of  truth  never  suffered 
upon  such  occasions.  He  was  well  es- 
tablished in  the  doctrine  and  practice 
of  the  Apostolic  church,  and  persecu- 
tion could  not  move  him  therefrom.  He 
was  of  a  cheerful  disposition,  fond  of 
a  good  joke  and  made  friends  where- 
ever  he  went.  His  memory  is  highly 
esteemed  among  Baptists,  especially 
among  Baptists  of  the  Shenandoah 
Valley. 


samuel  McMillan. 

McMillan,  Elder  Samuei,  was  born 
in  Cocke  County,  Term.,  April  18,  1870, 
reared  on  a  farm  by  poor  parents  and 
had  but  few  advantages  of  an  educa- 
tion. He  was  the  oldest  of  twelve 
children  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen 
God  in  his  infinite  wisdom  touched 
him  with  the  finger  of  His  love,  led 
him  by  a  way  he  knew  not  and  gave 
him  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus.  Soon  he 
proved  his  faith  by  his  works,  owned 
Jesus  before  men,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  and  a  few  years 
later  was  ordained  to  the  ministerial 
work.  Elder  McMillan,  has  for  about 
eleven  years  been  preaching  Jesus 
the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life,  devot 
ing  about  three-fourths  of  his  time  to 
this  labor  of  love,  and  is  highly  es- 
teemed by  these  who  best  know  him. 


Millan  gave  to  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  an  evidence  of  conversion  and 
was  baptized  into  the  church  at  Em- 
mens  (Flat  Creek),  and  two  years 
later  in  obedience  to  impressions 
which  he  felt  to  be  of  divine  power  he 
began  preaching,  which  work  he  faith- 
fully continued  until  physical  disabil- 
ity utterly  prohibited  his  leaving  his 
home.  He  received  his  ordination  in 
Emmens  Church  on  the  first  Sunday 
in  September,  1874,  Elder  Jacob 
Young  and  J.  R.  Battle  constituting 
the  presbytery.  His  life  from  child- 
hood up  to  the  year  1889  was  spent  in 
Berrien  County.  Since  that  period  his 
home  was  in  Colquitt  County  where, 
as  in  the  county  of  his  nativity,  he 
was  an  honored  and  useful  citizen. 
About  fifteen  years  ago  he  suffered  a 
stroke  of  paralysis  which  made  him  a 
cripple  the  balance  of  his  life,  and  for 
the  last  twelve  years  his  only  means 
of  locomotion  was  an  invalid's  chair, 
being  unable  for  the  last  four  or  five 
years  of  that  time  to  even  feed  him- 
self, his  good  wife,  who  still  survives 
him,  performing  that  duty  faithfully  to 
the  last.  It  can  be  truthfully  said  that 
Dan  McMillan  was  conscious  of  no 
element  of  selfishness  in  his  religion. 
His  simple  creed  was  to  trust  without 
question  an'd  the  heavier  the  rod  the 
more  meekly  to  bow  under  the  chast- 
ening. 


d.  n.  McMillan. 

McMillan,  Elder  D.  N.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  near  Alapaha, 
Ga.,  on  December  5,  1844,  and  died  at 
his  home  in  Colquitt  County,  Febru- 
ary 8,  1908.  February,  1870,  Elder  Mc- 


GEO.    W.    McNEELY. 

McNeely,  Elder  Geo.  W.  (1809-1875), 
of  North  Carolina.  The  subject  of  this 
notice  was  born  in  Person  County,  N. 
C,  had  early  impressions  about  his  fu- 
ture state  as  a  sinner,  yet  he  grew  up 
in  sin  and  in  love  with  the  vanities  of 
this  world.  But  in  the  year  1828  it 
pleased  the  Lord  to  bless  the  people 
in  his  and  adjoining  counties  with  the 
outpouring  of  His  spirit  and  to  send 
the  arrow  of  conviction  to  his  heart 
as  a  nail  in  a  sure  place,  which  caused 
him  to  mourn  over  his  wicked  heart. 
At  length  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  re- 
move the  burden  from  his  heart  by 
the  light  of  his  countenance  and  he 
was  baptized  in  fellowship  with  the 
Church  at  Upper  South  Hyco.  He  was 
soon  moved  upon  in  his  feelings  to 
exhort  sinners  to  repent  of  their  sins 
and  seek  the  Lord.  In  the  year  1830, 
his  Church  believing  his  labors  were 
blessed  of  the  Lord,  he  being  quite 
backward,  the  Church  licensed  him  to 
speak  in  public  wherever  he  might  be 
led,  and  the  Lord  seemed  to  direct 
him  to  Pittsylvania  County,  Va.,  and 


194 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


there       his       labors     were       blessed 
of  the  Lord.  He  continued  going  there 
monthly  for  four  years.  He  was  timid 
and  fearful  about  engaging  in  the  min- 
istry, and  was  not  ordained  until  No- 
vember,  1835;    he  was   soon  called  to  I 
take  charge  of  Moon's  Creek  Church, 
as  their  pastor.  In  the  fail  of  1837,  he  , 
sold  out  intending  to  move  West,  but  j 
visiting  the  Mayo  Baptist  Association 
in   October,   and   passing  through   the 
neighborhood    of    Matrimony    Church,  j 
Rockingham   County,   N.    C,   when   he 
returned    home    he    told    his    beloved 
wife  that  if  he  was  called  to  preach,  _ 
that     he     had     seen     a     peop'e     he 
must  stay  with  awhile.  So  Matrimony  j 
Church  called  him  to  be  their  pastor. 
He  moved    -to  that     neighborhood  in 
1838,    and    joined    Matrimony    Church 
by  letter,  where  he  continued  to  labor 
with  much  ability  up  to  his  death. 


a.  b.  Mcpherson. 

McPherson,  Elder  A.  B.,  of  Clarks- 
ville,  Ark.,  was  born  in  Jackson  Coun- 
ty, Ala.,  August  17,  1830,  and  moved 
to  Arkansas  in  1843,  where  he  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists,  and  in 
the  year  of  1867  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  has  since  had  the 
care  of  churches — having  served  Mt. 
Gilead  in  Newton  County,  Ark.,  for 
twenty-five  years.  Elder  McPherson, 
has  during  his  ministry,  organized 
seven  churches,  and  his  labors  have 
been  blessed  to  the  reviving  and  edi- 
fication of  others;  has  assisted  in  the 
ordination  of  five  ministers  and  sever- 
al deacons  and  has  baptized  many  be- 
lievers into  the  fellowship  of  his 
churches. 


N 


A.   H.  NAY. 

Nay,  Elder  A.  H.,  of  Moulton,  Iowa, 
"'was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind., 
February  1,  1857.  He  received  a  hope 
in  the  year  1875,  and  joined  Bethel 
church,  of  Primitive  Baptists,  in  In- 
diana, the  same  year.  He  is  now  a 
member  of  Fox  River  Church,  Davis 
County,  Iowa,  which  liberated  him  to 


preach  in  March,  1895.  He  is  a  young 
man  of  good  promise."  This  brief 
sketch  is  from  Elder  Cash's  book, 
1896,  and  for  want  of  later  information 
is    inserted. 


T.   M.  NEAL. 

Neai,  Elder  T.  M.,  of  Hico,  Texas, 
was  born  in  Choctaw  County,  Miss., 
August  23,  1839,  moved  toTyler  County, 
Texas,  when  about  fourteen  years  old. 
His  father  died  some  time  before  and 
he  became  the  main  support  of  a  wid- 
owed mother.  His  opportunities  for  an 
education  were  few.  He  became  con- 
cerned about  his  eternal  welfare  in 
1868,  obtained  a  hope  in  Christ  in  1872 
and  united  with  Primitive  Baptists  at 
Fellowship  Church,  Tyler  County, 
Texas,  1873.  He  was  soon  chosen  clerk 
of  his  church  and  served  until  set 
apart  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in 
1878.  He  has  continually  had  the  care 
of  churches  since,  and  though  suffer- 
ing much  from  bodily  affliction  he  is 
faithful  as  a  minister  and  zealous  in 
the  cause  of  truth.  He  preaches  sal- 
vation alone  by  the  grace  ofl  God  and 
is  satisfied  with  the  church  of  Christ 
and  does  not  feel  that  it  can  be  im- 
proved in  doctrine  or  practice. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


195 


D.  J.  NEAL. 

Neal,  Elder  D.  J.,  of  Duck  Hill, 
Texas.  This  useful  minister  was  bom 
July  24,  1849,  raised  by  Methodist  pa- 
rents and  taught  the  principles  of 
their  doctrine;  convicted  of  sin  and 
made  to  feel  his  just  condemnation 
before  God  in  his  twenty-sixth  year; 
given  a  view  of  Jesus  as  the  Saviour 
of  sinners  and  a  sweet  hope  in  Him 
and  united  with  the  Methodist  Church 
the  same  year;  remained  with  them 
for  four  years,  during  which  time  he 
read  the  Bible  in  search  of  the  marks 
of  the  Apostolic  Church,  and  becoming 
convinced  that  the  Methodist  denomi- 
nation did  not  bear  these  marks  and 
that  the  Primitive  or  Old  School  Bap- 
tists did,  he  united  with  the  latter 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Simpson 
Parks  in  1879.  In  this  he  received 
great  peace  of  mind,  but  was  soon 
burdened  with  a  dispensation  of  the 
gospel  and  felt  he  must  preach  Jesus 
to  others  who  had  been  realized  so 
precious  to  him.  He  was  ordained  in 
1884  and  has  since  had  the  service 
of  churches  besides  preaching  in  des- 
titute places.  Two  churches  have 
been  organized  under  his  labors  and 
are  in  a  prosperous  condition.  Elder 
Neal  has  also  for  twelve  years  served 
as  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  four 
years  as  county  assessor,  which 
shows  the  confidence  placed  in  him 
by  his  neighbors.  His  Godly  walk  and 
conversation  is  edifying  to  others.  His 
wife.  Mrs.  Mattie  (Taylor)  Neal,  is  a 
true  companion.  They  have  five  liv- 
ing children.    ' 


J.  J.   NEAL. 

Neal,  Elder  J.  J.,  of  Clawson,  Texas, 
was   born   at    St.    Francis,   Ark.,   June 


18,  1857,  and  died  February  17,  1904. 
Brother  Neal  received  a  hope  in 
Christ  in  1871,  and  united  with  the 
Methodists;  but  some  years  after- 
wards, becoming  dissatisfied  with 
their  doctrine  and  practice,  he  left 
and  joined  the  Missionary  Baptists, 
but  failing  to  find  a  home  with  them 
he  left  them,  and  in  1887  he  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists  at  Little 
Flock  Church  in  Angelina  County, 
Texas,  and  was  baptized  the  next  day 
by  Elder  E.  J.  Smith.  The  church  soon 
discovered  that  he  possessed  the  gift 
ofl.  preaching,  and  therefore  licensed 
him  to  preach  in  1890,  and  soon  there- 
after called  for  his  ordination,  but  he 
refused  to  submit  until  he  was  made 
willing  by  the  power  and  Spirit  of  an 
Almighty  God,  when  a  presbytery, 
composed  of  Elders  Thomas  Britain, 
J.  D.  Mathews  and  Z.  Oliver  was  call- 
ed, and  he  was  ordained  in  1894.  Elder 
Neal,  though  a  great  sufferer  from 
a  complication  of  diseases,  was  a 
meek  and  humble  Christian,  and  an 
able  and  fearless  defender  of  the  doc- 
trine of  God  our  Saviour. 


I.  N.  NEWKIRK. 


Newkirk,  Elder  I.  N.,  of  Wartsburg, 
Wash.,  is  now  in  his  seventy-fifth  year 
of  age,  but  strong  in  the  faith  and 
zealous  in  the  cause  of  truth.  He  was 
born  May  16,  1833,  united  with  the 
church  in  early  life,  ordained  1866  to 
the  ministerial  work  and  has  traveled 
thousands  of  miles  in  preaching  Jesus 
the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life.  The 
blood-stained  banner  of  King  Imman- 
uel  is  the  only  flag  under  which  he 
desires  to  march  that  he  might  finish 


196 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


his  course  -with  joy.  Though  growing 
weak  in  body,  Elder  Newkirk  is  strong 
in  spirit  and  glories  alone  in  the  fin- 
ished work  of  Jesus  and  preaches  a 
sure  salvation  for. all  the  elect. 


undeserving    sinner    saved    by    grace 
occasionally." 


JOSEPH     SYLVESTER     NEWMAN. 

Newman,  Elder  Joseph  Sylvester,  of 
Glen  Rose,  Texas.  This  gifted  brother 
is  an  example  of  what  the  grace  of 
God  in  the  life  and  heart  of  a  wild, 
reckless  sinner  does.  He  was  born 
September  23,  1851,  and  for  fifteen 
years  was  a  cow-boy  on  the  plains  of 
the  West.  At  seventeen  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mirandy  Siemon,  convict- 
ed of  sin  and  received  a  hope  in  Jesus 
aboui.  1SS0,  and  when  he  joined  the 
church  in  Gonzales  County,  Texas, 
three  years  later,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  J.  W.  Baker,  he  could  scarcely 
read  and  write.  Up  to  the  present 
time  he  has  held  about  fifty  public 
discussions  with  representatives  of 
various  denominations,  and  is  a 
strong  debater  and  gifted  speaker. 
He  has  never  studied  anything  in  the 
preparation  of  his  debates  except  the 
Bible,  church  histories  and  the  mean- 
ing of  words.  Soon  after  uniting  with 
the  church  he  was  made  deacon,  but 
the  church  soon  discovered  his  gift 
and  in  188fi  he  was  ordained  by  Eld- 
ers J.  G.  Curington  and  J.  W.  Baker. 
He  has  since  spent  the  most  of  his 
time  traveling  and  preaching  and  the 
Lord  has  blessed  his  labors.  He  has 
baptized  about  five  hundred  persons. 
His  preaching  is  Jesus,  all  the  waj 
through.  In  regard  to  his  own  feel- 
ings and  interest  in  the  sure  salva- 
tion of  Jesus  for  all  his  people  Elder 
Newman  writes.  "I  want  it  printed 
that  generations  to  come  may  read, 
that  if  I  am  saved  it  will  be  a  poor, 


WM.  NEWTON. 

Newton,  Elder  William  (1819-1905), 
was  born  in  Harrison  County,  W.  Va., 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Ohio  when 
a  boy,  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Ann  Sisk  in  1841,  (nine  children 
were  born  to  them  and  they  lived  to- 
gether for  sixty-three  years),  convict- 
ed of  sin  and  found  rest  in  Jesus  in 
1852,  united  with  the  church  called 
Deavertown,  the  same  year,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Thos.  Harper.  He 
was  soon  chosen  deacon,  and  in  1871 
was  licensed  and  a  few  months  later 
ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry. 
Though  he  was  too  feeble  to  travel  in 
his  last  years  yet  his  zeal  for  the 
Master's  cause  was  unabated,  and  he 
ever  stood  firm  in  the  faith  he  so  much 
loved.  He  frequently  spoke  of  the  com- 
fort the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour 
was  to  him,  and  believed  that  the  doc- 
trine of  salvation  by  grace  was  the 
only  system  that  would  reach  a  poor 
ruined  and  lost  sinner.  On  his  dying 
bed  that  system  looked  so  grand  and 
sublime  to  him  that  he  remarked,  "Oh 
that  I  could  sound  God's  praises  in 
tones  of  thunder  that  all  people  might 
know  the  power  of  His  grace."  He 
died  as  he  lived  trusting  in  the 
Almighty  arm  of  the  Lord  for  salva- 
tion. — i 


H.  W.  NEWTON. 

Newton,  Elder  H.  W.,  of  Grain  Val- 
ley, Mo.,  "was  born  in  McMinn  County 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


197 


East  Tenia.,  December  14,  1850,  and 
moved  to  Missouri  when  three  years 
old.  He  united  with  New  Garden 
Church  in  Ray  County,  in  July,  1874, 
and  was  ordained  in  that  church  in 
December,  1880,  since  which  time  he 
has  had  the  care  of  from  one  to  four 
churches.  He  has  the  cause  of  the 
Master  at  heart  and  is  careful  to 
maintain  good  works."  This  informa- 
tion is  quoted  from  Elder  Cash's  book 
of  1896,  in  the  absence  of  more  re- 
cent data. 


JAS.    P.    NOBLE. 

Noble,  Eider  Jas.  P.,  of  Deatsville, 
Ala.,  was  born  March  12,  18G6.  He  was 
raised  by  Primitive  Baptist  parents. 
His  father  was  a  strict  disciplinarian 
yet  he  grew  up  a  wild,  wayward  boy, 
of  which  now  he  is  heartily  ashamed. 
But  God  convicted  him  of  sin,  led  him 
to  the  Cross  where  he  found  relief  in 
the  Crucified  One.  He  united  with  the 
church  in  1893,  and  was  ordained  July, 
1902,  and  has  continuously  had  the 
care  of  churches.  During  the  few  years 
he  has  been  preaching  he  has  baptized 
nearly  a  hundred  persons  and  all  of 
his  churches  are  in  peace.  He  is  de- 
termined to  know  nothing  in  his 
preaching  but  Jesus  and  him  crucified 
and  is  satisfied  with  the  good  old  way 
wherein  is  peace  and  rest. 


JAMES    L.    NOBLITT. 

Nobiitt,  Elder  James  L.,  of  Stam- 
per's Creek,  Ind.,  was  born  in  the  state 
of  Indiana,  June  27,  1845,  and  joined 
the    Primitive   Baptist   Church  in   the 


year  1875,  and  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in  1892,  has 
served  Young's  Creek,  Pleasant  Grove 
and  other  churches,  and  is  a  worthy 
minister.  The  editor  regrets  that  a 
suitable  sketch  of  his  life  could  not, 
for  want  of  further  information,  ap- 
pear. 


A#SJ 

1 

51 

1M^ 

in 

I\      1 

'         ■  '     '■  . 

'■:*;;;;# 

E.    A.    NORTON. 

Norton,  Elder  E.  A.,  of  Hampton, 
Iowa,  was  born  in  Crawford  County, 
111 ,  October  8,  1840,  and  united  with 
Mt.  Pleasant  Church,  Lafayette  Coun- 
ty, Wis.,  in  October,  1856.  He  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  ministry  on 
the  fourth  Sunday  in  December,  1895, 
but  information  relative  to  the  minis- 
terial labors  of  Elder  Norton  could  not 
be  obtained. 


J.   W.    NORTON. 

Norton,  Elder  J.  W.,  of  Oglesby, 
Texas,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  Sep- 
tember 14,  1833;  professed  a  hope  in 
Christ  in  August,  1854;  baptized  in 
October,  1S56,  by  Elder  John  B.  Hud- 
leston,  and  began  preaching  in  1865. 
He  served  faithfully  four  years  in  the 
Civil  war,  and  was  twice  wounded — 
once  in  the  hand  and  once  in  the 
head.  Elder  Norton  was  a  brother  of 
Elder  J.  A.  Norton  of  Washington, 
D.  C,  and  like  him  was  noted  for  his 
zeal  in  the  Master's  vineyard  and 
loyalty  to  the  cause  of  truth.  He 
fought  a  good  fight  and  finished  his 
course  with  joy  April  16,  1909.  Elder 


198 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


S.  A.  Paine  says  of  him:  "While  I 
would  not  dare  claim  perfection  in 
the  flesh  for  him  but  I  do  believe  that 
in  all  my  acquaintance  with  him  that 
I  observed  as  near  a  perfect  life  as  is 
possible  for  man.  His  individual  ex- 
cellence was  a  great  help  to  him  in 
faithfully  and  efficiently  meeting  the 
duties  enjoined  upon  him  in  his  many 
relations  to  this  life.  He  was  a  man 
(an  exception  to  the  common  rule) 
that  always  spoke  and  acted  from 
principle  and  not  impulse,  his  steps 
were  always  taken  soberly,  deliberate- 
ly and  faithfully.  Never  did  I  know  his 
zeal  (which  was  steadfast)  to  culmi- 
nate in  rashness  or  excitement  but 
was  always  so  tempered  with  his 
strong  and  steady  mind  that  it  was 
resolved  into  a  common  blessing  to  all 
concerned.  As  a  neighbor,  citizen,  hus- 
band, father,  brother  and  as  a  servant 
of  the  Lord — in  short  in  all  his  rela- 
tions and  duties  of  life,  his  ncble  ex- 
ample will  live  in  the  hearts  of  those 
thus  related  to  him,  as  a  living  me- 
mento to  his  grateful  memory." 


A.   J.   NORTON. 

Norton,  Elder  A.  J.,  of  Hampton, 
Iowa,  "was  born  in  Kentucky,  'March 
13,  1818,  and  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptists  March  26,  1837.  He  was  or- 
dained in  the  year  1852,  and  has  trav- 
eled much  in  many  states.  He  has  the 
care  of  one  church  at  present,  though 
nearly  four  score  years  old."  This 
notice  is  from  Elder  Cash's  book  189G, 


and  it  is  with  regret  that  full  partic- 
ulars of  Elder  Norton's  life  and  labors 
could  not  be  obtained  for  this  work. 


J.  A.   NORTON. 

Norton,  Elder  J.  A.,  of  Washington, 
D.  C,  was  born  May  9,  1840,  in  Tippah 
County,  Miss.,  raised  on  a  farm  by  his 
parents,  William  and  Sophia  Norton, 
who  had  a  family  of  eleven  children; 
convicted  of  sin  in  early  manhood  and 
later  in  life  was  given  a  hope  in  the 
Saviour,  united  with  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists, and  was  ordained  in  1867  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  In  his 
young  manhood — when  just  twenty- 
one  years  of  age — he  entered  the 
Southern  army,  and  nine  scars  from 
wounds  attest  his  faithful  service  and 
the  great  mercy  and  providential  care 
of  a  covenant-keeping  and  ever-reign- 
ing God.  Soon  after  this  dreadful 
struggle  in  which  he  laid  down  his 
arms  at  Appomattox,  C.  H,  Va.,  1865, 
he  entered  the  public  service  of  an- 
other leader — One  who  has  never  and 
can  never,  suffer  defeat,  and  for  forty- 
two  years  he  has  been  a  faithful  serv- 
ant. Twenty-six  years  of  his  early  min- 
istry were  spent  in  Mississippi  and 
Texas,  in  serving  and  constituting 
churches.  For  the  past  sixteen  years 
his  labors  have  been  .  among  the 
churches  in  Virginia.  Elder  Norton  is 
moderator  of  the  Ketocton  Associa- 
tion, is  a  fellow  laborer  with  Elders 
Dalton  and  Waters,  and  is  faithful, 
zealous  and  untiring  in  his  services 
in  the  cause  of  truth.  He  feels  he  has 
met  with  much  opposition,  but  not  so 
much  as  Jesus, — has  passed  through 
many  perils  but  not  as  many  as  Paul, — 
and   desires   to   thank  God,   for  living 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


199 


in  a  period  of  the  world's  history  when 
God's  children  can  witness  for  Him 
without  open  persecution  and  can 
worship  under  their  own  vine  and  fig 
tree  and  none  dare  molest  or  make 
them  afraid.  He  is  satisfied  with  the 
order  of  God's  house  as  he   found  it 


nearly  half  a  century  ago,  and  con- 
tends that  the  Scriptures  thoroughly 
furnish  God's  people  with  every  good 
word  and  work  so  that  they  need 
no  new  doctrine  or  practice  unau- 
thorized in  the  Master's  Guide-Book. 


o 


W.  T.  OAKS. 

Oaks,  Elder  W.  T.,  of  Dry  Fork,  Va. 
This  minister,  whose  labors  have 
been  confined  mostly  to  the  bounds  of 
the  Stauton  River  Association,  was 
born  January  30,  18G2,  convicted  of  sin 
and  made  to  feel  his  lost  and  ruined 
condition  in  his  eighth  year  cf  age, 
delivertd  from  this  fear  and  given  a 
hope  in  the  Saviour  and  united  with 
the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  in  1888, 
remained  with  them  about  seven  years 
when  he  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  in  1895,  commenced 
preaching  a  few  years  later  and  in 
1903  was  ordained  to  the  gospel  work 
by  Elders  T.  N.  Walter,  G.  W.  Hunt- 
ley, J.  P.  Johnson  and  C.  D.  Bray. 
Elder  Oaks  was  soon  called  to  the 
care  of  the  following  churches,  viz: 
White  Thorn,  Weatherford,  Banister 
and  Springfield ;  has  baptized  about 
fifty,  married  about  as  many  couples, 
assisted  in  several  ordinations,  etc., 
and  desires  to  serve  the  Lord's  hum- 
ble poor  in  such  a  way  as  to  benefit 
them  and  glorify  God. 


E.   C.   OAKES. 

Oakes,  Elder  E.  C,  of  Danville,  Va., 
was  born  April  27,  1872,  united  with 
the  church  in  his  twenty-first  year  of 
age  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  James 
S.  Dameron.  For  four  years  before 
uniting  with  the  church  he  had  a 
sweet  hope  in  Jesus,  but  delayed  tak- 
ing up  the  cross,  waiting  and  hoping 
for  more  evidence  that  he  was  a  child 
of  grace.  Soon  after  his  baptism  he 
was  licensed  to  preach  and  in  1901 
was  ordained.  About  this  time  he 
moved  to  Danville  and  with  others 
organized  a  church  in  that  city  Sep- 
tember, 1902.  He  has  since  served 
this  church  as  pastor.  In  1892  Elder 
Oakes  was  married  to  Miss  Rosie 
Hines  who  was  at  that  time  a  member 
of  the  Missionary  or  New  School  Bap- 
tist Church,  but  who  has  since  been 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
Primitive  Baptists  by  her  husband. 


F.  L.   OAKLEY. 

Oakley,  Elder  F.  L.  (1828-1908),  of 
North  Carolina,  after  a  long  and  use- 
ful life  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  in  his 
eightieth  year  of  age.  He  had  been 
preaching  nearly  fifty  years  and  was  a 
faithful  minister  of  Jesus  and  highly 
esteemed  by  the  churches  that  knew 
him.  The  editor  regrets  that  his  efforts 
to  obtain  data  for  a  suitable  sketch 
proved  in  vain. 


JOHN    H.  ODEN. 

Oden,  Elder  John  H.  (1800-1892),  of 
Alabama,  joined  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  in  early  manhood  and  was 
a  faithful  minister  of  the  gospel  for 
fifty-one  years,  ever  contending 
for  the  faith  that  was  once  deliv- 
ered to  the  saints,  and  working 
for  the  peace  of  the  church;  prompt  to 


200 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


his  duty  and  call  as  a  minister,  never 
flinching  from  heat  or  cold,  rain  or 
dry,  and  was  a  faithful  and  kind  hus- 
band, a  devoted  and  indulgent  father. 
He  was  born  in  Talladega  County,  Ga., 
and  moved  to  Blount  County,  Ala., 
with  his  parents  in  his  infancy.  He 
first  married  Miss  Clarinda  Welsh, 
and  after  her  departure  he  married 
Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Wilson.  He  was  wide- 
ly known  and  loved  by  many,  and  left 
a  good  example.  He  was  in  the  split, 
in  1827-35  and  was  unmovable  from 
the  cause  of  Christ,  and  His  Church 
earnestly  contended  for  the  old  land- 
mark the  church  that  Christ  founded 
upon  the  rock.  He  was  for  many  years 
Moderator  of  the  Tombigby  Associa- 
tion. 


ARCHIBALD    ODOM. 


Odom,  Elder  Archibald,  of  Georgia, 
was  born  in  the  year  1796,  and  died 
July  17,  1873,  united  with  Bethsada 
Church  in  early  life  and  was  soon  or- 
dained to  the  ministry.  In  1837  he  was 
dismissed  by  letter  and  went  into  the 
constitution  of  Providence  Church  the 
same  year  remained  a  member 
and  preached  for  this  and  other 
churches  until  his  death.  For  about 
fifty-five  years  he  was  a  faithful  ser- 
vant in  the  Master's  vineyard  often 
going  long  distances  on  foot  or  horse- 
back through  all  kinds  of  weather  to 
fill  appointments.  He  was  a  firm  be- 
liever and  strong  defender  of  the  Bi- 
ble doctrine  of  election,  predestina- 
tion, total  depravity  and  final  perse- 
verence  of  the  elect,  through  grace, 
to  glory. 


I.   L.  OGLE. 

Ogle,  Elder  I.  L.,  of  Cosby,  Tenn., 
is  the  beloved  moderator  of  Nola 
Chucky  Association  of  Tennessee,  and 
the  faithful  pastor  of  churches  within 
the  bounds  of  this  association. 


R.    M.   OGLE. 

Ogle,  Elder  R.  M.,  of  Calhoun,  Mo., 
"was  born  in  the  state  of  Tennessee,  in 
April,  1839,  and  moved  to  Linn  County, 
Mo.,  in  1841.  He  obtained  a  hope  in 
the  year  1869,  and  united  with  Little 
Flock  Church,  Carroll  County,  Mo.,  the 
following  year.  He  was  ordained  in 
Crooked    River    Church,    Ray    County, 


Mo.,  December  6,  1874.  He  now  has 
the  care  of  four  churches  and  has 
served    that  number  for  several  years." 


R.    M.   OGLE 


From  Eider  Cash's  book  1896.  A  fuller 
sketch  could  not  be  prepared  for  this 
work  for  want  of  information. 


JOHN  T.  OLIPHANT. 

Oliphant,  Elder  John  T.,  of  Fort 
Branch,  Ind.,  son  of  William  and  Mary 
Olipnant,  was  born  July  23,  1841. 
Though  he  had  some  temporary  visi- 
tations of  alarming  convictions  be- 
tween tbe  ages  of  five  and  eleven,  yet 
not  in  the  way  of  grace  but  rather  in 
the  works  of  Providence,  and  mostly 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


201 


accompanying  events  of  deaths  of  re- 
lations or  friends  and  would  soon  wear 
off.  But  at  the  age  of  twelve  he  was 
convicted  of  sin  in  such  a  manner 
that  it  has  followed  him  until  this  day, 
and  still  causes  him  to  hate  sin  and 
love  righteousness.  After  many 
months  of  darkness,  guilt  and  bond- 
age he  was  unexpectedly  blessed  with 
a  sweet  and  joyful  deliverance,  united 
with  the  church  October,  1855,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  John  Kinder, 
was  some  years  afterward  licensed 
and  in  August,  1SG9,  was  ordained  to 
the  full  work  of  the  ministry.  For 
forty  years  Elder  Oliphant  has  had  the 
care  of  churches,  is  a  faithful  witness 
for  the  Master  and  much  loved  by  his 
people.  He  writes  of  himself:  "My  life 
is  far  spent,  my  days  are  nearly  num- 
bered, and  I  would  not  boast  of  self, 
but  only  in  the  great  goodness  and 
grace  of  the  Lord.  Where  He  has  cast 
my  lot,  He  has  sustained  me  in  min- 
istering to  saints  and  delivering  co 
poor  perishing  sinners  messages  of 
mercy  and  salvation.  I  pray  for  the 
peace   and   prosperity   of  Zion." 


P.  T.  OLIPHANT. 

Oliphant,  Elder  P.  T.,  of  Buena 
Vista,  Ind.  This  able  minister  of  the 
New  Testament  is  from  a  Baptist  fam- 
ily— his  ancestors  as  far  back  as  he 
can  trace  them  were  members  of  the 
Primitive  Baptists,  and  his  grand- 
father Thomas  Oliphant,  was  a  minis- 
ter in  North  Carolina.  The  subject  of 
this  notice  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Nancy  (Carmichael)  Oliphant,  and 
was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  De- 
cember 3,  1848.  Nothing  unusual  mark- 
ed his  history  from  infancy  to  man- 
hood, not  common  in  the  life  of  a  boy 
raised  on  a  farm.  He  was  brought  up 


in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord  and  taught  the  way  he  should 
go  by  his  parents,  and  his  life  was  a 
moral,  upright  one,  but  true  religion 
consists  in  a  change  of  heart  and  affec- 
tions by  the  spirit  of  grace  in  regen- 
eration, and  not  in  a  matter  of  moral 
training.  This  he  learned  by  the 
Spirit's  teaching  and  was  convicted  of 
the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin  and 
the  depravity  of  the  carnal  heart; 
made  to  realize  his  helpless  and  hope- 
less condition  in  himself,  and  to  plead 
for  mercy  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Hope 
sprang  up,  relief  came,  his  burden 
was  gone  and  he  was  enabled  to  claim 
Jesus  as  his  Saviour  and  from  then 
till  now  has  hope  only  in  the  free  and 
unmerited  mercy  of  God  and  viewing 
the  end  of  his  Christian  warfare  says: 
"With  this  hope  I  am  expecting  to 
meet  death  ere  long;  nor  do  I  desire 
another,  only  I  pray  that  he  who  first 
blessed  me  with  it,  will  brighten  it 
more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day." 
Elder  Oliphant  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Church  called  Union  at 
Buena  Vista,  in  his  twenty-first  year 
of  age,  was  ordained  eleven  years 
later — in  1880 — and  has  since  had  the 
care  of  churches.  He  is  the  author  of 
Edith  Austin's  Enquiry,  and  The  Holy 
Scriptures  on  Women  Preachers,  and 
is  an  able  writer,  a  gifted  preacher 
and  highly  esteemed  among  the 
churches.  » — 


R.    A.    OLIPHANT. 

Oliphant,   Elder  R.  A.,  of  Stanberry, 
Mo.,  "was  born  in  Monroe  County  Ind. 


202 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


December  25,  1842,  and  united  with 
Union  Church,  Green  county,  Ind., 
March  IS,  1876.  He  was  ordained  June 
1,  1878,  and  has  since  served  as  pas- 
tor of  churches,  having  at  tlr's  time 
the  care  of  three  churches."  From  Eld- 
er Cash's  book.  Later  information 
could  not  be  obtained  for  this  work. 


JAS.    H.   OLIPHANT. 

Oliphant,  Elder  Jas.  H.,  of/  Craw- 
fordsville,  Ind.  This  very  clear,  strong 
and  able  writer,  forceful  and  logical 
speaker,  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1846, 
convicted  of  sin  in  1868,  and  for  about 
one  year  was  in  deep  distress  and  soul 
sorrow.  But  He  who  enables  His 
children  to  look  within  and  see  their 
own  sinfulness,  also  in  His  own  way 
and  time,  enables  them  to  look  to 
Jesus  and  see  him  as  their  sin-bearer. 
So  it  was  with  Elder  Oliphant.  In  the 
year  1869  he  was  given  a  sweet  hope 
in  Jesus  and  united  with  the  Baptists, 
commenced  preaching  in  1870,  and 
was,  the  same  year,  called  to  the  care 
of  four  churches.  He  has  since  thav 
time  continually  served  four  churches, 
has  traveled  considerably  among  the 
Baptists  in  the  middle  west  and  east, 
and  his  name  is  a  household  word 
among  our  people  of  many  sections. 
But  Elder  Oliphant  is  most  extensive- 
ly known  by  his  writings.  Besides  be- 
ing associate  editor  of  the  Primitive 
Monitor,  Gospel  Messenger  and  Zion's 
Advocate,  he  has  written  and  publish- 
ed several  valuable  books.  In  1878  he 


wrote  "Final  Perseverance  of  the 
Saints."  "Principles  and  Practices  of 
Primitive  Baptists"  came  from  the 
press  in  1883.  A  few  years  later  fol- 
lowed able  treatises  on  "Regenera- 
tion," Thoughts  on  the  Will,"  and 
"Justification."  He  also  published  an 
interesting  little  book  of  correspond- 
ence with  Elder  Durand.  His  last 
work  is  entitled  "Practical  Sugges- 
tions for  Common  People."  All  these 
works  have  been  well  received  among 
Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptists  and 
manifest  the  author's  clear  insight  cl 
the  subjects  handled.  For  force  of 
logic  Elder  Oliphant  has  few  superiors 
as  a  writer  and  speaker.  Humble  and 
devoted  to  the  cause  of  truth,  firm 
and  uncompromising  with  error,  kind 
and  willing  to  forgive,  he  is  a  minis- 
ter of  great  usefulness  among  our  peo- 
ple and  highly  esteemed  for  the 
truth's  sake. 


THOMAS    OLIPHANT. 

Oliphant,  Elder  Thomas.  This  faith- 
ful minister  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina where  he  united  with  the  Baptists 
and  for  several  years  served  four 
churches.  Later  in  life  he  moved  to 
the  state  of  Indiana  and  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days  in  the  ministry — 
serving  churches  mostly  within  the 
bounds  of  the  White  River  Associa- 
tion. Four  of  his  grandsons,  viz: 
Elders  J.  H.,  J.  T.,  R.  A.,  and  P.  T. 
Oliphant  are  well  and  favorably 
known  ministers  of  the  Old  School  or- 
der. It  is  regretted  that  sufficient 
data  for  a  suitable  sketch  of  Elder 
Thomas  Oliphant's  life  and  labors 
could  not  be  obtained. 


E.    E.   OLIVER. 

Oliver,  Elder  E.  E.,  of  Washington, 
D.  C,  was  born  in  Fairfax  County, 
Va.,  January  2,  1861,  and  raised  by 
Primitive  Baptist  parents.  His  father 
was  in  the  constitution  of  Bethel 
Church  and  served  the  church  as 
clerk  until  his  death.  In  1878,  at  the 
age  of  seventeen,  Elder  Oliver  was 
convicted  of  sin  and  made  to  mourn 
on  account  of  it.  But  He  who  began 
the  good  work  continued  it,  and  in  a 
few  months  Jesus  was  revealed  to  him 
as  his  sin-bearer  and  he  received  a 
good  hope  through  grace;  united  with 
Bethel  Church  in  1879  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Benj.  Bridges.  Elder 
Onver  was  married  to  Miss  Marietta 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


203 


Reid  in  1885,  licensed  to  preach  in 
1890,  and  ordained  the  following  year. 
After  the  death  of  Elder  T.  N.  Alder- 


E.    E.   OLIVER 

ton  he  was  elected  pastor  of  Bethel 
Church  and  so  continues  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  

W.  H.  OSBOURN. 

Osbourn,  Elder  W.  H.,  of  Spring- 
dale,  Ark.,  was  born  in  Montgomery 
County,  Kan.,  in  1877;  moved  with  his 
father  to  Arkansas,  when  quite  young, 
raised  on  farm  at  hard  labor,  and  had 
poor  opportunities  to  obtain  an  edu- 
cation. About  the  year  1899  he  enter- 
ed school  intending  to  study  medicine, 
but  became  very  much  concerned 
about  his  soul's  salvation,  was  deeply 
convicted  of  sin  and  troubled  in  spir- 
it. With  this  burden  he  could  not  ap- 
ply himself  to  his  studies  as  he  de- 
sired. But  God  was  leading  him  in  a 
way  he  knew  not,  he  was  taught  of 
the  Lord,  given  a  sweet  hope  in 
Jesus,  quit  school,  went  home  to  his 
friends  and  told  them  what  great 
things  the  Lord  had  done  for  him,  was 
received  and  baptized  March,  1901, 
one  month  later  he  was  licensed  and 
the  following  year — May,,  1902— was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  min- 
istry. In  March,  1902,  Elder  Osburn 
was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  Jane 
Frake,  who  loves  the  same  doctrine 
and  enjoys  the  same  fellowship  in 
the  church  with  her  husband  and 
urges  him  to  go  forward  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  ministerial  duties. 


WM.   OSBURN. 

Osburn,  Elder  Wm.,  son     of     James 
and  'Mary  Osburn,  was  born   in   Ken- 


tucky July  12,  1834,  moved  to  Indiana 
with  his  father  when  a  child,  and  was 
married  to  Nancy  Todd  in  18G3  who 
lived  only  ten  months,  and  two  years 
later  he  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth Wtoolery.  In  1867,  he  with  his 
wife,  moved  from  Indiana  to  Kansas, 
and  in  1878  moved  to  Arkansas  where 
he  liA^ed  until  his  death  January  28, 
1908.  In  early  life  he  obtained  a  hope 
in  the  Saviour  but  did  not  unite  with 
the  church  until  1880  when  he  joined 
the  Primitive  Baptists  at  Bethlehem 
Church,  and  was  later,,  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  Zion  Church,  where  he,  with 
his  son, — Elder  W.  H.  Osborn — were 
together  ordained  March,  1902,  and 
where  he  ever  afterward  faithfully 
proclaimed  Jesus  the  way,  the  truth 
and  the  life.  It  is  said  that  for  twenty- 
five  years  he  did  not  miss  but  four 
regular  meetings  of  his  church.  He 
loved  the  church  and  the  fellowship 
of  his  brethren,  yet  always  felt  un- 
worthy of  the  love  and  esteem  in 
which  he  was  held  by  others. 


THOS.    H.   OWEN. 

Owen,  Elder  Thos.  H.,  of  Suisun 
Valley,  Cal.,  was  born  in  Buncombe 
County,  N.  O,  in  the  year  1797.  He 
moved  to  Illinois  in  1816  and  organiz- 
ed the  first  church  in  Hancock  Coun- 
ty of  that  state.  Elder  Owen  went  to 
California  in  1S49,  and  settled  between 
Sacramento  and  San  Francisco,  and 
here  he  preached,  organized  churches 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days, 
dying   in    the    year   1880.    He    was   an 


204 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


able  preacher  and  his  labors  were 
blessed  of  the  Lord  to  the  comfort  of 
many. 


WM.   BRANCH   OWEN. 

Owen,  Elder  Wm.  Branch,  was  born 
June  29,  1825,  in  Halifax  County,  Va. 
He  was  the  sixth  and  youngest  son 
of  Thomas  Owen  and  Sallie  Stewart 
Owen.  His  family  moved  to  Ruther- 
ford County,  Tenn.,  about  the  year 
1840,  and  settled  in  this  immediate 
vicinity.  He  grew  to  manhood  there 
and  about  1848  he  professed  a  hope 
in  Jesus  and  joined  old  Cave  Springs 
C.  P.  Church.  Some  time  afterward  he 
became  a  member  of  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  at  Providence,  near 
Walter  Hill.  He  was  ever  a  faithful 
and  earnest  worker  for  the  truths  in 
which  he  trusted.  Some  years  after 
joining  the  church,,  he  was  ordained 
a  minister,  and  never  ceased  to 
preach  the  word  as  he  believed  it — 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth  and 
fearlessly  defending  his  convictions. 
During  his  ministry  he  traveled 
and  preached  extensively,  was  always 
faithful  and  efficient;  discharging 
every  trust  committed  to  him.  He  was 
on  March  18,  1860,  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Bettie  Norton  Nance,  eldest 
daughter  of  Elder  Josiah  C.  Nance,  of 
Davidson   County.   He  died  in   1902. 


D.  W.  OWENS,   M.   D. 

Owens,   Elder   D.  W.  (M.  D.),  of  Hers- 
man,   111.   This  gifted  writer  and  able 


Illinois  in  1868,  and  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Water- 
ford,  Fulton  County,  in  November, 
1871.  In  1872  he  removed  to  Hancock 
County,  and  united  with  the  Rock 
Creek  Church,  where  he  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  June, 
1874.  In  1878,  he  removed  to  Brown 
County,  and  became  a  member  of  Mt. 
Gilead  Church  near  Hersman.  Short- 
ly after  becoming  a  member  there,  he 
was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
church  in  connection  with  the  late 
Elder  James  Harper,  who  died  in 
1886;  after  which  he  was  called  to  the 
full  pastorate,  and  so  continues  to  the 
present  time.  After  he  gave  up  the 
active  practice  of  medicine,  in  1899, 
he  has  had  the  care  of  other 
churches;  and  has  been  an  editorial 
writer  on  the  staff  of  the  Messenger 
of  Peace  for  several  years.  For  the 
past  thirty  years  he  has  attended 
meetings  two  Sundays  and  one  Satur- 
day in  each  month  at  Mt,  Gilead 
church  with  but  very  few  excepticns 
and  then  only  in  cases  when  prevent- 
ed by  sickness.  Faithful,  firmly  rooted 
and  grounded  in  the  truth,  a  workman 
needeth  not  be  ashamed  he  is  an 
example  to  others  and  exerts  a  good 
influence  by  his  godly  walk  and  con- 
versation. 


BENJ.    H.   OWINGS. 

Owings,  Elder  Benjamin  H.,  of  Mad- 
ison, Mo.,  was  born  in  Simpson  Coun- 
ty, Kentucky,  September  10,  1807,  and 
moved    to    Missouri    at   an   early    day. 


preacher  was  born  in   Lewis   County,  |    He  commenced  preaching  in  1838,  and 
Ky.,  August   16,   1845.  He  removed  to      was  ordained   the  following  year.   He 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


205 


served  the  churches  faithfully  for  half 
a  century  and  lived  in  peace  with  his 
brethren.  He  was  a  member  of  Mt. 
Pleasant  Church,  Monroe  County,  Mo., 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  12,  1888,  which  church 
he    had    served    as    pastor    for    thirty 


years.  He  served  as  Moderator  of  Mt. 
Pleasant  Association  several  years. 
The  editor  regrets  that  data  for  a 
fuller  sketch  of  this  useful  minister's 
life  could  not  be  obtained  for  this 
work. 


J.  A.   PAINE.   CM.  D.) 

Paine,  Elder  J.  A.  (M.  D.)  of  Dallas, 
Texas.  This  earnest,  zealous  and  use- 
ful minister  was  born  in  1846,  in  Law- 
rence County,  Tenn.  He  received  a 
hope  in  Jesus  and  united  with  the 
church  early  in  life,  was  a  gallant 
soldier  in  the  Civil  war,  married  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Blackmore  which  union 
has  been  blessed  with  seven  children 
— among  them  two  preachers — George 
A.  (deceased),  and  S.  A.  Paine,  who 
is  living  and  is  an  able  gift.  Dr.  Paine 
has  been  practicing  medicine  thirty- 
eight  years — twenty  in  Tennessee,  be- 
fore he  moved  to  Texas,  and  has  been 
preaching  Jesus  for  thirty  years.  He  is 
a  strong  preacher,  a  clear  writer,  an 
able  debater — having  engaged  in  sev- 
eral public  debates,  among  them  one 
with  Elder  J.  A.  Scarboro,  represent- 
ing the  Missionary  or  New  School 
Baptists,  in  which  Mr.  S.  affirmed  the 
following  proposition: — "That  tbe 
Scriptures  teach  that  repentance  to- 
ward God  and  faith  toward  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  are  conditions  to  be  per- 
formed by  alien  (dead)  sinners  in  or- 
der to  spiritual  or  eternal  life."  Elder 
Paine  is  a  strong  advocate  of  parental 


teaching  of  children  and  in  a  letter  to 
the  editor  says:  "We  have  taken 
great  pains  to  establish  our  children 
(early)  in  the  primitive  faith  and  doc- 
trine, and  by  the  grace  of  God,  have 
succeeded,  but  have  never  felt  it  our 
duty  to  try  to  help  the  Lord  regener- 
ate them.  At  our  home  we  believe  the 
old  primitive  doctrine  to  be  the  truth, 
and  that  the  truth  is  good  for  our 
children,  even  the  letter  of  it  will 
never  hurt  them;  trusting  and  pray- 
ing the  good  Lord  to  give  experimen- 
tal knowledge,  and  then  with  the  two 
witnesses  they  are  so  established  that 
Arminianism  will  ever  be  a  stench 
in   their   nostrils." 


S.   A.   PAINE. 

Paine,  Elder  S.  A.,  of  Dublin,  Texas, 
son  of  Elder  (Dr.)  J.  A.  Paine,  was 
born  April  3,  1S74.  He  is  the  third  son 
of  Elder  J.  A.  Paine;  was  reared  to 
his  fifteenth  year  in  middle  Tennessee 
— Wayne  County.  The  entire  family 
emigrated  to  Texas  in  18S9.  Began 
teaching  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years, 
and  for  twelve  years  engaged  in  the 
profession  cf   teaching,  going  to  school 


206 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


a  great  deal  during  intervals.  He  was 
married  in  his  twentieth  year  to  Miss 
Ellen  Burleson,  a  member  of  a  dis 
tinguished  pioneer  family  of  Texas; 
received  a  hope  in  1893;  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  in  1S97,  at 
Mt.  Peak,  Ellis  County,  Texas;  was 
liberated  to  preach  in  1897,  and  or- 
dained in  August,  1S9S.  Since  that 
time,  when  not  teaching,  he  has  been 
very  actively  engaged  in  the  ministry, 
serving  from  one  to  four  churches. 
Elder  Paine  has  traveled  a  great  deal 
for  the  short  time  engaged;  has  bap- 
tized about  two  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  people,  and  held  eighteen  debates 
with  representatives  of  other  orders 
to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  breth- 
ren. He  is  now  serving  four  churches, 
is  satisfied  with  the  order  of  God's 
house  and  content  to  be  a  plain,  old- 
fashion   Baptist. 


T.  R.   PALMER. 

Palmer,  Elder  T.  R.,  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, was  born  August  27,  1833, 
died  June  21,  1905.  He  was  baptized 
into  the  fellowship  of  the  Sidling  Hill 
Church  by  Elder  C.  L.  Funk  about 
1888.  It  was  discovered  soon  after 
that  he  had  a  gift  to  preach  and  the 
church  licensed  him  to  exercise  his 
gift,  and  he  soon  after  was  ordained 
to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  by 
Elders  T.  N.  Alderton,  A.  J.  Garland 
and  C.  L.  Funk.  His  uprightness  and 
integrity  as  a  citizen  and  exemplary 
and  faithful  life  as  a  minister  gained 
for  him  the  esteem  and  respect  of  his 
church.  He  was  deep  and  profound  in 
thought  yet  his  gift  was  such  as  was 
adaptable  to  the  comfort  of  babes  in 


Christ  as  well  as  to  those  of  full  age. 
As  a  soldier  in  the  late  war  he  was 
valiant  and  faithful,  and  was  equally 
so  in  the  defense  of  the  cause  of  his 
blessed  Master. 


JOHN    PARKER. 

Parker,  Elder  John,  of  Ohio.  This 
able  minister  of  the  New  Testament 
was  born  in  Loudon  County,  Va.,  Feb- 
ruary 5,  1810,  and  died  in  Fayette 
County,  Ohio,  'May  24,  1877,  in  the 
sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age.  Elder 
Parker  was  a  faithful  and  highly  es- 
teemed minister  and  served  one 
church  in  Hocking  County  cyer  forty 
years,  and  other  churches  almost  as 
long.  He  was  the  father  of  the  late 
Mary  Parker — the  well  known  spirit- 
ual writer  and  patient  sufferer, — bet- 
ter known  through  the  publication,  in 
book  form,  of  much  of  her  writings, 
entitled,  "Reminiscences  and  Letters," 
edited  by  Elder  S.  H.  Durand  and  his 
daughter,  Miss  Bessie  Durand,  of 
Southampton,  Pa.  The  editor  regrets 
that  his  efforts  to  secure  data 
from  which  to  prepare  a  suitable 
sketch  of  this  worthy  minister's  life 
and   labors  proved  fruitless. 


JOHN    W.    PARKER. 

Parker,  Elder  John  W.,  was  born  in 
the  state  of  Georgia,  December  5, 
1831;  received  and  baptized  into  the 
fellowship  of  the  church  of  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist  faith  and  order  at  Pleas- 
ant Grove,  Dale  County,  Alabama,  Oc- 
tober 31,  1S5S;    ordained  to  the  office 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


207 


of  deacon,  March.  10,  18C0;  ordained  to 
the  gospel  ministry  August  23,  1862, 
by  Elders  Jesse  Tomlin  and  Charles 
S'.  Pelham;  departed  this  life  in  the 
city  of  Birmingham,  Ala..  February  4, 
1909;  and  buried  in  the  Ozark  Ceme- 
tery on  the  next  day  following.  He 
lived  the  life  of  the  righteous,  and 
died  in  the  faith  of  Jesus  Christ  and 
in  the  fullest  confidence,  love  and  fel- 
lowship of  the  church.  The  grace  of 
God  richly  abounded  to  him  in  the 
fruit  of  the  Spirit,  viz.:  "Love,  joy, 
peace,  longsuffering,  gentleness,  good- 
ness, faith,  meekness,  temperance, 
against  which  there  is  no  law."  (Gal. 
v:22,  23.)  As  a  gospel  minister,  Broth- 
er Parker  was  plain  and  simple,  firm 
and  forceful  in  his  presentations  of 
the  doctrine  of  salvation  by  grace; 
consistent  and  conservative  in  his 
views  and  expressions  with  regard  to 
the  discipline  and  order  of  the  house 
of  God;  in  all  he  was  a  worthy  exam- 
ple of  Christian  faith  and  piety. 


JOSEPH     PARKER. 

Parker,  Elder  Joseph,  of  Ohio,  a 
brother  of  Elder  John  Parker,  was 
born  in  Loudon  County,  Va.,  April  18, 
1814,  and  died  September  18,  1874.  He 
was  considered  an  able  minister  and 
after  a  long  and  faithful  service  died 
in  Fayette  County,  O.,  in  his  sixty- 
first  year  of  age  in  the  full  triumphs 
of  faith.  Detail  information  of  his  life 
and  labors  could  not,  by  the  editor, 
be  obtained. 


N.  V.  PARKER. 

Parker,  Elder  N.  V.,  of  Walnut, 
Miss.,  was  born  in  Tippah  County, 
Mich.,  in  18G8.  He  was  left  an  orphan 
at  the  age  of  twelve,  convicted  of  sin 
in  his  fourteenth  year  and  for  many 
months  felt  to  be  without  God  and 
hope  in  the  world.  But  when  about  fif- 
teen he  was  given  a  hope  in  the  Sa 
viour  and  also  given  an  impression  to 
preach  Jesus  to  others.  In  the  twenty- 
first  year  of  his  age  he  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  at  Sardis 
Church,  some  years  later  was  licensed 
and  afterwards  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry.  Elder  Parker  now  has 
the  care  of  two  churches. 


JOSEPH    PARKER. 

Parker,    Elder    Joseph      (1805-1885), 
was  born  in  South  Carolina.  His  fath- 


er died  before  he  was  born;  his  moth- 
er, whose  maiden  name  was  Giden, 
died  six  years  afterward.  Consequently 
he  was  left  an  orphan  very  young  to 
fight  the  battles  of  life  without  the 
councils  of  father  and  mother,  which 
he  by  the  help  of  the  Lord  was  en- 
abled to  do  very  successfully,  both 
temporally  and  spiritually.  In  the 
year  1820  he  moved  to  the  state  of 
Tennessee  and  in  1825  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Shiloh, 
Lincoln  County,,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Benjamin  Walker.  In  1828  he 
married  Miss  Faner  Howard.  Unto 
them  sixteen  children  were  born.  In 
1834  he  moved  to  Bedford  County,  set- 
tled on  the  head  waters  of  Flat  Creek 
and  joined  this  church  by  letter  and 
lived  a  devoted  member  till  death 
closed  his  life  of  usefulness.  He  was 
ordained  about  the  year  1861,  which 
station  be  filled  until  death,  retaining 
the  confidence  of  his  brethren  and  the 
respect  of  all  that  knew  him,  to  the 
close  of  his  useful  life. 


PETERSON    K.   PARR. 

Parr,  Elder  Peterson  K.  (1825-1897), 
of  Franklin,  Ind.,  was  a  native  of 
Tennessee,  being  born  in  Rcan  Coun- 
ty; his  parents  emigrated  to  Indiana 
and  settled  in  Johnson  County.  This 
county  was  his  home  during  the  rest 
of  his  life,  except  for  one  year  of  res- 
idence in  Indianapolis,  in  1843  he 
united  with  Mt.  Gilead  Church  and 
was  a  faithful  member  for  thirteen 
years.  At  the  end  of  this  time  change 
of  location  in  the  county  caused  him 
to  change  his  membership  to  Bethel 
Church,  of  which  church  he  was  a  de- 
voted member  the  remainder  of  his  life 
In  1865  his  name  appears  in  the  Cons 
Creek  Association  minutes  as  "Clerk" 
and  "Licentiate",  and  his  clerkship  of 
the  association  '  continued  until  his 
death.  In  1S66  he  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  at  Bethel  Church 
and  served  this  church  faithfully  as 
pastor  from  then  until  his  death.  His 
business  life  was  a  true  index  to  his 
Christianity,  for  his  integrity  was  un- 
questionable. In  his  younger  days  he 
was  one  of  the  leading  contractors  of 
the  county  for  road  construction,  and 
he  served  the  people  officially  for 
thirty  years.  During  his  sickness  his 
mind  remained,  not  only  clear,  but 
was  illuminated  with  the  light  of  heav- 
en and  he  saw,  as  did  John,  visions  of 
the  glory  that  awaited  him.  He  suf- 
fered, but  with  a  spirit  that  triumphed 
over  pain.  His  soul  was  great,  for  the 


208 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Lord  had  richly  poured  out  His  Spirit 
upon  him,  and  that  greatness  of  soul 
was  shown  by  his  humility,  he  being 
ever  "less  than  the  least."  He  did  not 
know  how  good  he  was,  but  ever  pray- 
ed. "According  to  Thy  mercy,  remem- 
ber mo,  O  Lord  and  Saviour."  With 
a  heart  bathed  in  love  and  tenderness, 
he  spoke  and  lived — a  shepherd  and  a 
comforter.  Not  only  in  the  church,  but 
in  his  home  was  this  true,  for  home 
and  church  were  both  sacred  to  him, 
and  to  serve  in  either  was  to  render 
service    to    his    beloved    Master. 


ANSEL   PARRISH. 

Parrish,  Elder  Ansel,  was  born  the 
7th  of  July,  1824.  and  died  at  his  home 
in  Berrien  County,  Ga.,  the  16th  of 
January,  1S91,  leaving  a  widow  and 
seventeen  children,  and  eighty  grand- 
children. He  was  married  to  Molly 
Knight  December  15,  1842.  Bro.  Par- 
rish was  a  farmer  and  provided  well 
for  his  family.  He  fed  as  many  Bap- 
tist and  other  people  as  perhaps  any 
Baptist  in  his  state.  He  divided  with 
the  needy,  was  punctual  to  all  his  con- 
tracts, and  always  had  a  plenty.  He 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
at  Pleasant,  in  his  nineteenth  year, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Westberry. 
Seme  time  afterward  it  was  manifested 
in  him  a  gift  to  preach,  and  he  was 
ordained  in  1854.  Bro.  Parrish  lived 
a  model  life  as  a  Christian  and  a 
preacher,  such  as  was  worthy  of  imi- 
tation, and  his  preaching  was  a  great 
comfort  of  the  saints  through- 
out the  circle  of  his  acquaintance.  He 
was  a  gifted  sheep-feeder,  and  labored 
for  the  cause  of  truth,  the  good  of 
his  brethren  and  the  glory  of  God, 
and  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith  in 
his  sixty-seventh  year. 


J.  N.  PARSONS. 

Parsons,  Elder  J.  N.,  of  Ashland, 
Ala.  The  subject  of  this  notice  was 
born  in  Talladego  County,  Ala.,  July 
29,  1853.  His  parents  were  poor  in  this 
world's  goods,  and  were  unable  to 
give  their  son  the  advantages  of  a  lib- 
eral education.  He  grew  up  a  boy 
noted  for  good  morals.  In  the  yeai 
1872  he  was  convicted  of  sin  and  pass- 
ed through  a  season  of  great  mental 
darkness.  It  was  at  a  prayer  meeting 
that  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  relieve 
him  of  his  burden  and  give  him  a 
sweet  hope  in  Jesus.   He  united  with 


the  Missionary  Baptists  and  remained 
some  years  with  them,  became  dis- 
satisfied and  convinced  that  they  were 
not  the  church  of  Christ,  left  them 
about  1894  and  was  ordained  a  minis- 
ter in  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
seven  years  later.  He  is  an  humble, 
zealous  and  beloved  minister,  and  la- 
bors for  the  comfort  of  Zion. 


SHADE   PATE. 

Pate,  Elder  Shade,  of  North  Caro- 
lina, was  born  March  the  10th,  1807, 
died  October  11,  1891.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  he  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptists  at  Nahunta,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Haywood  Ham.  A 
short  time  after  this  he  was  ordained 
to  the  ministry,  and  he  was  pastor  at 
Nahunta  when  he  died.  He  was  zeal- 
ous in  the  work  of  the  ministry  and 
labored  for  peace  and  love  and  fellow- 
ship among  the  children  of  God. 


D.   W.   PATMAN. 

Patman,  Elder  D.  W.  (1810-1882),  of 
Georgia,  was  born  in  Oglethorpe  Coun- 
ty, united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists 
in  early  life  after  vainly  trying  to 
"get  religion  at  Methodists  revival 
meetings."  In  his  experience,  the  Lord 
taught  him  his  helpless  condition  and 
revealed  Jesus  as  his  only  Saviour. 
Soon  after  he  united  with  the  church 
he  was  greatly  impressed  with  the 
duty  of  preaching  Jesus  to  others  and 
was  later  in  life  ordained  to  the  gos- 
pel work,  and  faithfully  filled  this  of- 
fice until  his  death.  Elder  Patman 
was  an  extraordinary  man  in  many 
respects  and  few  men  possessed  more 
good  sense  or  ready  wit  naturally; 
and  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  he 
was  an  able  gift,  and  his  general 
character  for  truth  and  honesty  was 
above  suspicion. 


A.  W.    PATTERSON. 

Patterson,  Elder  A.  W.,  of  States- 
boro,  Ga.,  was  born  in  Union  County, 
Ga.,  August  1,  1847,  moved  with  his 
parents  to  Baldwin  County,  at  the  age 
of  ten,  thence  to  Wilkinson  County, 
where  he  lived  until  1897.  Since  then 
he  has  lived  at  Statesboro.  From  early 
youth  he  felt  the  Lord  would  require 
him  to  preach,  and  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen he  was  deeply  convicted  of  sin. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


209 


This  burden  of  guilt  and  the  impres- 
sion to  preach  made  his  condition 
fearful,  but  after  three  years  of  strug- 
gle in  the  wilderness  of  sin  he  found 
peace  in  Jesus  and  united  with  Mt. 
Carmel  Church  in  Wilkinson  County. 
Then  his  burden  of  preaching  became 
heavier — his  impressions  stronger, 
and  after  eight  years  of  trials  and 
tears   he    was    made   willing,    was    or- 


A.   W.    PATTERSON 


dained  to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
try in  1S77  by  Elders  H.  Temple,  J. 
I.  Keel  and  James  Fields;  has  since 
had  the  care  of  churches  and  has 
traveled  and  preached  in  Georgia 
and  portions  of  thirteen  other  states. 
Elder  Patterson  faithfully  sets  forth 
Jesus  the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life 
in  his  preaching  and  is  highly  esteem- 
ed by  his  brethren. 


ARCHIBALD     PATTISON. 

Pattison,  Elder  Archibald  (1797- 
1S52).  Born  in  North  Carolina,  when 
a  young  man  moved  to  Tennessee, 
and  later  to  'Missouri,  united  with  the 
Baptist  Church  1823,  ordained  1829 
and  was  a  gifted  minister.  He  possess- 
ed a  gift  much  above  mediocrity. 
With  a  discriminating  mind,  retentive 
memory,  able  reasoning  faculties 
clear,  strong  and  melodious  voice,  he 
commanded  the  attention  of  all  who 
heard  him,  and  exerted  considerable 
influence     wherever     he     labored — he 


was  well  known  and  much  beloved  by 
the  brethren  throughout  North  Mis- 
souri, and  especially  will  the  churches 
in  Boone,  Monroe,  Randolph  and  How- 
ard counties,  in  whose  midst  he  lived 
and  labored,  long  delight  to  remember 
him,  and  the  faithful  services  he  ren- 
dered them. 


ZARA   PAULK. 

Paulk,  Elder  Zara,  of  Georgia,  who 
died  March  7,  1892,  was  convicted  of 
sin  and  brought  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  truth  of  salvation  in  Jesus  in 
1856,  united  with  the  church  and  was 
soon  set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry. He  was  an  humble  man,  able 
preacher,  an  excellent  disciplinarian, 
and  possessed  great  Christian  forti- 
tude and  forbearance. 


HENRY    PEEL. 

Peel,  Elder  Henry,  of  North  Caroli- 
na. This  highly  esteemed  brother  was 
born  in  Martin  County,  N.  O,  January 
11,  1829,  and  died  May  23,  1908;  con- 
victed of  sin  in  his  twenty-second 
year  and  given  a  sweet  home  in  Jesus, 
and  united  with  the  church  at  Smith- 
wicks  Creek  in  October,  1852.  He  was 
soon  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
preaching  and  in  June,  1860,  the 
church  seeing  that  he  had  a  gift  liber- 
ated him  to  exercise  his  gift  within 
the  bounds  of  the  church,  and  by  Sep- 
tember of  the  same  year  his  preach- 
ing had  proven  so  satisfactory  that 
the  church  gave  him  license  to  preach 
where  he  might  feel  impressed  to 
travel.  Elder  Peel  was  ordained  to  ad- 
minister all  the  ordinances  of  the 
church  March,  1864,  by  Elders  C.  B. 
Hassell  and  William  B.  Perry.  He  was 
a  faithful  pastor  served  the  church 
very  zealously,  laying  a  worthy  ex- 
ample for  a  gospel  minister.  He  was 
always  on  time,  never  waiting  for  the 
congregation,  saying  that  the  appoint- 
ed time  had. come  to  begin  the  wor- 
ship. He  often  exhorted  the  brethren 
to  do  their  duty.  He  traveled  and 
preached  considerably  in  North  Caro- 
lina and  some  in  Tennessee  and  his 
diary  shows  he  baptized  113  persons, 
married  165  couples,  and  preached 
350  funerals,  traveling  3,240  miles  for 
the  one  purpose  of  preaching  Jesus, 
never  charging  anything  for  any  of 
his  ministerial  labors,  holding  the 
service  of  Christ  to  be  above  price. 
Like  Paul  he  labored  with  his  own 
hands  to  support  himself  and  those 
depending    on    him. 


210 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


J.  C.   PENDER. 

Pender,  Elder  J.  C,  was  born  in 
Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  March  5th, 
1825,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Madison 
County,  Iowa,  September  13,  1895.  He 
removed  with  his  family  to  Iowa  in 
the  year  1849,  and  remained  until  the 
year  1865  when  they  moved  to  Arkan- 
sas and  stayed  there  until  the  year 
1876  when  he  again  removed  to  Iowa 
where  he  resided  until  his  death  with 
the  exception  of  the  last  year,  which 
he  spent  in  Missouri,  returning  to 
Iowa  a  short  time  before  his  demise. 
Bro.  Pender  united  with  Middle  River 
Church  of  Regular  Predestinarian 
Baptists  in  the  year  1877  and  was  li- 
censed to  preach  in  1886,  in  which  of- 
fice he  acted  until  called  home.  He  did 
not  try  to  attract  the  attention  or  ad- 
miration of  the  world,  nor  did  he  try 
to  preach  to  suit  any  of  the  brethren, 
but  was  always  ready  to  feed  the  flock 
with  the  spiritual  food  that  was  given 
him  by  the  great  Shepherd,  and  was 
faithful  and  greatly  loved  as  a  pastor. 


J.   M.   PERKINS. 

Perkins,  Elder  J.  M.,  of  Mayfield, 
Ky.  From  Elder  Potter's  Souvenir 
book  published  in  1895  it  is  learned 
that  Elder  Perkins  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky on  the  1st  day  of  March,  1847, 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in 
1872,  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  in  1873,  and  is  now  pastor 
of  four  churches.  Later  information 
could  not  be  obtained. 


R.  W.  PETERS. 

Peters,  Elder  R.  W.,  son  of  Gershom 
and  Ann  Walcutt  Peters,  was  born 
February  7,  1846,  in  Franklin  County, 
Ohio,  and  died  October  3,  1907.  After 
spending  his  boyhood  with  his  par- 
ents, he  enlisted  for  service  in  Com- 
pany E,  First  Regiment,  Ohio  Volun- 
teer Cavalry  in  the  Spring  of  1864, 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  returned  to  Pickaway  County,  0., 
and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In 
1874  he  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  at  Darbyville,  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry  in  1S87,  at 
Darbyville  Church  in  which  he  served 
faithfully  until  declining  health  com- 
pelled him  to  retire.  During  his  minis- 
try he  served  four  churches  as  pastor 


and  was  to  them  a  kind  shepherd.  He 
served  two  years  as  moderator  of  the 
Scioto  Association,  and  was  faithful 
in  all  things  pertaining  to  the  gospel 
work,  was  a  kind  husband,  wise  fath- 
er, good  citizen  and  left  a  good  name 
to  his  several  children  and  grandchild- 
ren. 


T.    I.    PETTUS. 

Pettus,  Elder  T.  I.,  of  Tennessee, 
was  born  November  11,  1877,  and  died 
March  28,  1904,  at  the  early  age  of 
twenty-six  years.  He  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Wilson's 
Creek,  Triune,  Tenn.,  in  1893,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  J.  E.  Frost.  He 
began  to  exercise  in  public  some  in 
1895  and  was  ordained  in  May,  1902. 
In  1898  he  received  the  L.  I.  degree  at 
the  University  of  Nashville  and  until 
a  year  before  his  death  devoted  his 
time  to  teaching.  He  spent  the  year 
1903  entirely  in  ministerial  duties.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  he  had  charge  of 
four  churches,  all  in  prosperous  condi- 
tion, for  which  he  often  expressed  his 
humble  gratitude  to  God.  He,  during 
his  short  time  in  the  ministry,  had  the 
pleasure  of  baptizing  eighty-six  per- 
sons with  ages  ranging  from  eleven 
years  to  eighty-two.  Brother  Pettus 
seemed  to  consider  it  his  duty  to  visit 
especially  the  weak  churches  and  des- 
titute places.  He  was  an  excellent  pas- 
tor looking  well  after  the  interest  of 
his  churches,  was  a  man  of  many 
friends  both  in  the  church  and  out  of 
it.  Most  of  his  ministerial  labors  were 
in  the  bounds  of  the  Sequachee  Val- 
ley Association,  and  his  churches  felt 
that  they  had  indeed  sustained  a  great 
loss  in  his  death. 


ENOCH    PHILLIPS. 

Phillips,  Elder  Enoch,  of  Georgia, 
was  born  October  12.  1828.  He  was 
raised  by  Primitive  Baptist  parents 
and  grew  up  a  moral  boy.  He  was 
married  November  21,  1850.  Shortly 
after  this  time  the  Lord  enabled 
him  to  see  and  realize  that  he 
was  a  guilty  sinner  justly  condemned 
before  a  just  and  holy  God.  In  due 
time  he  was  blessed  with  a  gcod  hope 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  his 
Saviour.  He  was  baptized  into  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  June  2, 
1855,  and  lived  a  consistent  and  faith- 
ful member  of  that  faith  until  death. 
He  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  July 
15,  1865,  and  faithfully  discharged  his 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


211 


duty  in  that  capacity  as  long  as  he 
lived,  ever  holding  his  duty  to  God 
and  his  brethren  above  everything 
else.  He  lived  a  faithful  life  as  a 
church  member,  minister,  a  citizen 
and  Christian  gentleman.  He  was 
chosen  moderator  of  the  New  Hope 
Association  in  1904  and  held  that 
position  until  his  death,  November 
19,  1906. 


the  Master.  He  now  has  the  care  of 
five  churches,  all  in  peace  and  love 
and  a  healthy  condition. 


JOHN    D.    PHILLIPS. 

Phillips,  Elder  John  D.  (1826-1899), 
of  Georgia.  In  1845  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  Davis,  moved  to  Carroll 
County,  1856,  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Church  at  Concord  in 
1859,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  R.  T. 
Speight.  He  soon  began  to  speak  in 
public,  and  was  ordained  at  Piney 
Woods  Church,  Havalson  County, 
1868.  He  was  an  able  minister  of  the 
New  Testament,  ever  contending  for 
the  faith  that  was  once  delivered  un- 
to the  saints. 


DAVID    PHILLIPS. 

Phillips,  Elder  David,  of  Walter- 
town,  Tenn.  This  humble  and  spiritu- 
ally minded  brother  was  born  April 
26,  1850.  When  about  ten  years  of  age 
the  subjects  of  death,  hell  and  the 
grave  were  forcibly  impressed  on  his 
mind;  he  was  convicted  of  sin,  labor- 
ed under  the  law  for  righteousness 
but  came  to  the  end  of  the  law  and 
found  righteousness — even  Jesus, — 
united  with  the  Baptists,  was  soon  or- 
dained and  for  the  past  twenty-one 
years  has  been  a  faithful  witness  for 


A.    B.   PHILPOT. 

Philpot,  Elder  A.  B.,  of  Philpot,  Va., 
was  born  in  Henry  County,  Va.,  De- 
cember 21,  1S58.  He  grew  to  manhood 
wild  and  reckless,  seeking  the  pleas- 
ures of  the  world,  with  no  fear  of  God 
before  his  eyes;  but  when  about  nine- 
teen years  old  he  was  convicted  of  sin 
and  heard  his  first  sermon  under  the 
preaching  of  Elder  Bodenheimer. 
But  it  was  several  years  later  before 
he  put  on  a  public  profession  of 
Christ,  during  which  time  he  under- 
went much  burden  of  soul,  and  was 
given  many  beautiful  dreams  teach- 
ing him  the  salvation  in  Jesus.  He 
united  with  the  church  in  1879,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Peter  Corn.  He 
was  soon  burdened  with  the  duty  of 
preaching  Jesus  to  others  and  after 
much  conflict  of  mind,  began  to  exer- 
cise in  public  and  was  about  1883, 
ordained  by  Elders  P.  G.  Lester,  Amos 
Dickson,  T.  L.  Roberson  and  Petei 
Corn,  and  has  since  had  the  care  of 
churches.  Elder  Philpot  is  established 
in  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  the 
apostolic  church  and  wants  no  new 
gospel  or  practice  in  the  house  of  God. 
In  early  life  he  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Mary  E.  He'ms,  and  the  Lord  has 
blessed  them  together. 


BENNETT    PITT. 

Pitt,  Elder  Bennett,  of  North  Caro- 
lina. This  faithful  and  highly  con- 
scientious servant  of  God  was  born  in 


212 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Edgecombe  County,  N.  C,  about  the 
beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century, 
lived  in  this  county  all  his  life  and 
died  there  about  twenty  years  ago. 
He  was  a  member  of  Lower  Town 
Creek,  was  advanced  to  the  work  of 
the  gospel  ministry  in  middle  age 
and  was  an  acceptable  preacher  and 
highly  esteemed  by  liis  churches. 
Elder  Pitt  was  possessed  of  many  no- 
ble traits  of  character  and  lived  the 
doctrine  he  preached  to  others.  His 
departure  was  peaceful  and  triumph- 
ant. 


B.  C.  PITT. 


Pitt,  Elder  B.  C,  son  of  Elder  Ben- 
nett Pitt,  was  a  native  of  Edgecombe 
County,  N.  C.  He  was  a  blameless, 
lovely  man  and  a  gifted  preacher.  His 
membership  was  at  Lower  Town 
Creek  Church,  convicted  of  sin  in 
early  life,  united  with  the  church  and 
was  soon  set  apart  to  the  gospel  min- 
istry. He  served  churches  in  the 
Kehukee  Association,  but  his  health 
was  poor  and  he  passed  away  in  mid- 
dle life  lamented  and  missed  by  the 
Baptists  of  his  association,  and  the 
editor  regrets  that  data  for  more  ex- 
tended sketches  of  the  lives  and  la- 
bors of  both  Elder  B.  C.  Pitt  and  his 
honored  father  could  not  be  obtained. 


WILEY    PITTMAN. 

Pittman,  Elder  Wiley.  From  an  old 
copy  of  the  minutes  of  the  Kehukee 
Association  of  1864,  the  editor  copies 
the  following  in  reference  to  Elder 
Pittman:  "He  was  born  on  the  27th 
of  July,  1815 — in  one  of  the  most  re- 
tired spots  in  Edgecombe  County,  N. 
C,  and  was  raised  up  in  the  same 
neighborhood  where  he  was  born — 
with  little  or  no  education — and  was 
not  even  favored  with  the  advantages 
of  literary  associates.  He  was  married 
en  the  4th  of  December,  1S3S;  came  be- 
fore the  church  and  offered  for  mem- 
bership at  Williams  meeting  house, 
Edgecombe  County,  Saturday  before 
the  second  Sunday  in  November,  1842, 
and  was  baptized  on  Friday  following. 
He  commenced  preaching  in  1854,  and 
was  ordained  in  1857.  He  was  looked 
upon  universally,  where  known,  as  a 
very  sound  gospel  minister,  and  dwelt 
mostly  on  experimental  preaching.  He 
was  held  in  high  esteem  by  persons 
who  differed  with  him  in  sentiment, 
because  of  his     good  common     sense 


and  meek  and  humble  deportment.  He 
was  what  the  world  would  call  a  poor 
man,  and  was  so  afflicted  in  body  as 
to  be  unable  to  labor  much  on  the 
farm,  but  what  of  a  support  he  could 
not  raise  at  home,  was  supplied  by  his 
biethren  and  friends  round  about,  es- 
pecially those  who  made  no  profes- 
sion of  religion.  He  died  November 
22,  1861, — leaving  a  wife,  nine  child- 
ren— five  sons  and  four  daughters — 
the  church  at  Williams,  and  a  large 
circle  of  friends  to  lament  his  death. 
Elder  Pittman  was  neither  rich  nor 
great  in  the  common  acceptation  of 
the  world,  but  was  more  than  both; 
a  good  man.  He  bore  his  protracted 
illness  with  Christiain  patience  and 
resignation,  and  well  may  we  add  in 
conclusion  "mark  the  perfect  man, 
and  behold  the  upright;  for  the  end 
of  that  man  is  peace."  The  editor,  who 
is  a  grandson  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  desires  only  to  add,  that  Elder 
Pittman's  limited  education  was  a 
heavy  cross  to  him  in  the  ministry. 
Many  were  the  excuses  he  offered  as 
reasons  why  he  should  not  preach. 
But  none  were  sufficient.  God  uses 
the  foolish  things  to  confound  the 
wise,  and  God  used  him  for  His  glory 
and  the  good  of  his  people.  Such  a  life 
of  faithful  service  and  such  a  name 
as  his,  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than 
great  riches,  and  is  an  invaluable  leg- 
acy to  his  descendants. 


T.    R.    PITTMAN. 

Pittman,  Elder  T.  R.,  of  Havana, 
Kan.,  was  born  in  Crawford  County, 
Ohio,  March  15,  1843,  and  was  the 
fifth  of  ten  children  born  to  his  pa- 
rents,   who    immigrated    from    Fulton 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


213 


County,  Pa.  His  lather,  John  Pittman, 
who  was  a  son  of  Benjamin  Pitman, 
was  born  near  Hancock,  Md.  Almost 
from  his  earliest  recollection,  Elder 
Pittman  had  serious  thoughts  about 
the  subject  of  religion,  was  a  fre- 
quent reader  of  the  Signs  of  the 
Times  and  became  somewhat  ac- 
quainted with  the  doctrine  of  the  Bi- 
ble in  the  letter,  though  knew  but  lit- 
tle of  the  spirit.  In  1862  he  was,  while 
attending  the  Sandusky  Association 
blessed  to  hear  his  first  sermon,  un- 
derstandingly.  Four  years  later  he 
united  with  the  church  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Lewis  Seitz.  In  1873  he 
moved  to  his  present  home  and  was, 
in  1900,  ordained  by  Bethlehem 
Church,  to  the  gospel  ministry,  and 
has  since  been  content  in  preaching 
the  simple  gospel  of  salvation  by 
grace  unadulterated  by  the  works  of 
men.  He  is  also  at  present,  postmaster 
at   Havana. 


.:.«SP|P 


r 


R.   H.   PITTMAN. 

Pittman,  Elder  R.  H.,  of  Luray,  Va., 
was  born  in  Edgecombe  County,  N.  O, 
August  20,  1S70.  His  parents — R.  E. 
and  Sarah  (Pitt)  Pittman,  were  of 
English  descent.  He  is  the  second  son 
and  third  child  of  a  family  of  ten 
children  and  was  raised  on  a  farm 
with  the  usual  advantages  of  a  com- 
mon school  education.  In  youth  he 
possessed  a  thirst  for  knowledge  and 
an  ambition  to  attain  positions  of 
honor  and  usefulness.  His  father  be- 
ing limited  in  "this  world's  goods," 
could  not  at  the  time  give  him  a  busi- 
ness or  collegiate  education,  but  did 
willingly  permit  him  to  leave  home 
for  the  purpose   of  obtaining  an  edu- 


cation at  his  own  expense.  Feeling 
that  "where  there's  a  will,  there's  a 
way,"  he  left  his  father's  farm  in  his 
seventeenth  year  of  age,  entered 
school  at  Whitakers'  Academy,  where 
he,  in  addition  to  the  ordinary 
courses,  continued  his  study  of  teleg- 
raphy begun  while  on  the  farm  and 
the  following  year  entered  business  as 
railroad  agent  and  telegraph  operator, 
and  before  his  twenty-first  year  of  age 
had,  Dy  close  economy  and  strict  at- 
tention to  business,  paid  his  school 
expenses  and  about  five  hundred  dol- 
lars to  his  father.  This  youthful  suc- 
cess is  mentioned  with  the  hope  that 
it  may  inspire  in  others  self-exertion 
and  a  loyal  parental  service,  for 
though  his  parents  did  not  require 
from  him  all  he  did  for  them  during 
this  period,  yet  he  felt  his  service 
belonged  to  them  while  he  was  under 
age,  and  feels  he  has  learned  by  ex- 
perience that  one  is  never  the  loser, 
but  is  blessed,  in  such  service.  About 
this  time  he  took  up  the  study  of  law, 
but  soon  became  disinterested  in  law 
and  greatly  interested  in  religion;  so 
much  so,  that  he  could  not  rest  with 
a  clear  conscience  until  he  went  be- 
fore the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  call- 
ed Hopeland,  in  North  Carolina  and 
asked  for  a  home  among  those  dear 
people.  This  was  December  31,  1892, 
and  the  following  day  amid  ice  and 
snow  he  was  baptized  by  Elder  A.  J. 
Moore,  was  licensed  in  1893  and  or- 
dained in  1900.  In  1893  he  was  given  a 
year's  leave-of-absence  by  his  em- 
ployers— the  A.  C.  L.  Ry.  Co.,  which 
time  he  spent  in  the  University  of 
North  Carolina,  after  which  he  resum- 
ed his  work  with  above  company,  at 
Bishopville,  S.  C  ,  continued  with 
them  until  1906,  when  he  resigned  all 
business  connection  and  the  care  of 
churches  in  South  Carolina  in  order 
to  serve  churches  in  Virginia,  where 
he  is  now  located.  Before  his  ordina- 
tion to  the  ministerial  work  Elder 
Pittman  took  an  active  interest  in 
the  moral,  intellectual  and  business 
up-building  of  his  home  town,  and  has, 
since  taking  the  care  of  churches, 
manifested  the  same  interest,  and 
when  not  engaged  in  his  ministerial 
duties  has  labored  in  other  callings. 
He  has  in  the  past  held  several  posi- 
tions in  R.  R.  service;  served  as  a 
member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
State  Bank,  and  of  various  corpora- 
tions; president  of  cotton  seed  oil 
mill,  member  of  legislature  of  South 
Carolina  (sessions  1904-05) ;  presi- 
dent literary  and  debating  society, 
lieutenant  in  home  company  of  (S.  0.) 


214 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


state  militia,  etc.;  yet  feels  that  all 
worldly  pursuits  should  be  subserv- 
ant  to,  and  sacrificed  for,  the  work 
of  the  ministry  when  they  materially 
conflict.  In  1896  he  was  married  to 
Mliss  Eunice  Elizabeth  Barnes — a  true 
and  loyal  companion,  and  they  have 
four  children — Dalton,  Leland,  Vir- 
ginia and  Groveen,  to  cheer  their  path- 
way and  brighten  their  home. 


JOHN   PLUM. 

Plum,  Elder  John.  This  faithful  min- 
ister died  September  16,  1892,  at  his 
home  near  Hannahsville,  Tucker 
County,  W.  Va  ,  in  his  seventieth 
year.  He  was  born  in  Monongalia 
County,  W.  Va.,  united  with  Eden 
Church  about  the  year  1854  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Herbert  Cool.  Two 
years  later  he  began  preaching,  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry 
and  for  about  thirty-six  years  fought 
the  good  fight  of  faith.  In  his  preach- 
ing he  determined  to  know  nothing 
save  Christ  and  Him  crucified  as  the 
way  of  salvation,  and  without  fear  or 
favor  desired  to  declare  the  whole 
counsel  of  God.  The  doctrine  of  elec- 
tion, predestination,  foreordination, 
calling,  justification  and  glorification 
of  all  the  heirs  of  promise  was  his 
faith  and  the  themes  he  loved  to  dwell 
upon.  


CHARLES    POLKINHORN. 

Polkinhorn,  Elder  Charles,  of  Vir- 
ginia. For  many  years  Elder  Polkin- 
horn served  the  Shiloh  Old  School 
Baptist  Church  of  Washington,  D.  C, 
and  several  churches  in  Virginia,  and 
was  considered  an  able,  faithful  and 
devoted  minister.  He  died,  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Ebenezer  Church  in  Laudon 
County,  Va.,  December  22,  1836,  after 
a  long  and  useful  service  in  the 
Master's  kingdom. 


WM.   POLLARD. 

Pollard,  Elder  Wm.,  was  born  in 
Suffolk  County,  Eng.,  February  10, 
1825.  His  parents  were  Baptists,  and 
firm  believers  in  the  doctrine  of  sov- 
ereign grace  as  held  by  the  Old 
School  Baptists  of  today.  Wihen  he 
was  about  seven  years  of  age  he 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Canada,  and 
when  at  the  age  of  22  years  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Jamieson,  and  united  with 
the    Baptist    Church    at    the    age    of 


twenty-four.  About  two  years  after 
uniting  with  the  church,  he  felt  strong 
impressions  to  speak  publicly  of  the 
things  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  and 
though  he  struggled  hard  against 
these  impressions,  and  felt  determin- 
ed not  to  speak  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord  ,the  time  came  when  he  was 
compelled  to  open  his  mouth  and 
preach  Christ  and  Him  crucified,  as 
the  only  salvation  for  poor,  ruined 
sinners,  the  church  giving  him  liberty 
to  exercise  his  gift,  and  so  comfort- 
ing and  strengthening  was  his  preach- 
ing, that  in  the  year  1855  he  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  min- 
istry by  Elders  Gilbert  Beebe,  Thos. 
P.  Dudley  and  J.  F.  Johnson.  He  was 
soon  called  to  the  care  of  churches, 
and  served,  among  others,  the 
church  at  Dundas,  Ont.,  and  War- 
wick, in  N.  Y.  and  grew  in  the  love 
and  esteem  of  the  church  and  people 
among  whom  he  labored  so  long  and 
faithfully.  His  preaching  was  clear 
and  discriminating,  and  had  great  va- 
riety in  truth.  It  was  wonderful  the 
many  new  things  he  was  given  to  say 
on  the  old  theme  of  salvation  by 
grace.  He  was  never  afraid  to  preach 
the  principle  of  predestination  and 
salvation  by  grace  both  for  time  and 
eternity.  He  was  a  faithful,  devoted 
pastor,  untiring  in  his  labor  of  love 
for  the  children  of  God;  firm,  stead- 
fast and  immovable  in  the  doctrine  of 
God  our  Saviour;  and  was  faithful 
until  the  end  and  could  say  with  the 
Apostle  Paul,  "I  have  fought  a  good 
fight;  I  have  kept  the  faith." 


W.    J.    POLLARD. 

Pollard,  Elder  W.  J.,  of  Nebraska 
City,  Neb.,  son  of  Stephen  Pollard,  was 
born  in  Jefferson  County,  Tenn.  March 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


215 


4,  1838.  His  grandfather,  Jesse  Pol- 
lard was  born  in  Culpepper  County,  Va. 
and  moved  to  east  Tennessee.  Elder 
Pollard's  father  moved  from  Tennessee 
to  Missouri,  in  1850,  where  the  sub- 
ject of  this  notice  was  reared  to  man- 
hood. In  18C3  he,  with  his  wife  and 
two  children,  moved  to  Illinois,  and 
the  following  year  he  was  convicted 
of  sin,  felt  that  condemnation  must 
be  his  portion,  but  unexpectedly  Jesus 
was  revealed  as  his  sin  offering,  and 
faith  in  Him  created  joy  where  only 
sorrow  had  before  reigned.  He  united 
with  Little  Missouri  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  in  Illinois,  but  soon  mov- 
ed back  to  Missouri,  and  was  in  1871 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry  by  Elders  Baley  Tabb,  Jas. 
Duval,  Isaac  Odell,  Allen  Sisk  and  W. 
T.  Brown.  Elder  Pollard  has  been  in 
the  ministry  nearly  forty  years,  has 
served  from  two  to  six  churches  most 
of  the  time,  has  baptized  about  four 
hundred  persons,  served  as  modera- 
tor of  the  Nottoway  Association  aud 
traveled  and  preached  in  several 
states.  Though  growing  feeble  in  body 
he  is  strong  in  the  Lord  and  earnest- 
ly and  faithfully  declares  the  doctrine 
of  God  our  Saviour.  He  passed 
through  the  Burnam  division  in  Mis- 
souri, back  in  the  '80's,  opposing  his 
regeneration  theory  and  Armenian 
practices.  He  is  now  serving  Liberty 
Church  near  Nebraska  City,  Neb. 


B.   J.    POLLARD. 

Pollard,  Elder  B.  J.  (1803-1870),  of 
North  Carolina.  This  useful  minister 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists 
early  in  life,  was  soon  thereafter  or- 
dained a  minister  and  served  churches 
mainly  in  Onslow  and  Carteret  Coun- 
ties. Prior,  and  during  the  Civil  war, 
he  served  his  county  as  justice  of 
peace.  Was  also,  for  some  years,  post- 
master, and  in  all  the  relations  of 
life  proved  his  sterling  worth.  As  hus- 
band, father,  neighbor  and  citizen  he 
gave  evidence  of  a  nobility  of  nature 
worthy  of  emulation;  and  as  a  minis- 
ter of  Jesus  manifested  energy,  zeal 
and  an  abounding  love  for  the  cause 
of  God  and  truth.  To  the  young  he 
was  a  faithful  adviser;  to  the  poor 
a  charitable  visitor;  to  the  widow  and 
orphan  a  comforter  and  protector.  He 
died  in  his  sixty-seventh  year  relying 
in  the  faith  he  had  preached  to  oth- 
ers. 


F.   M.   POPE. 

Pope,  Elder  F.  M.,  of  Boyle  City, 
111.,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Oc- 
tober 3,  18G6,  raised  on  the  farm,  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Maggie  M.  Helford,  Octo- 
ber, 1889,  convicted  of  sin  and  given 
a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  and  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists  at  Liberty 
Church,  August,  1903.  Before  uniting 
with  the  church  he  had  impressions  to 
preach  Jesus,  and  began  exercising 
nis  gift  publicly  July,  1904,  and  in 
September  was  licensed  to  preach, 
and  in  December,  same  year,  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministerial  work.  He 
was  soon  called  to  the  care  of 
churches  and  has  since  had  the  care 
of  from  two  to  four.  Elder  Pope  has 
traveled  and  preached  in  Illinois,  Ind- 
iana, Tennessee,  Missouri,  and  Arkan- 
sas, and  has  been  well  received,  is  an 
interesting  speaker  and  bold  defender 
of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  The 
Lord  has  blessed  his  labors,  and  he 
feels  satisfied  with  the  doctrine  and 
practice   of   the   apostolic   church. 


L.    B.   PORTER. 

Porter,  Elder  L.  B.  (1814-1897),  of 
Russell  County,  Ala.  The  character  of 
this  man  as  a  citizen,  a  member  of 
the  church  and  a  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, was  above  reproach.  He  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
at  Pleasant  Plains,  in  Wilkinson 
County,  Ga.,  in  1S44,  and  was  baptized 
by  John  Evers.  In  1849  he  was  ordain- 
ed to  the  ministerial  work,  and  until 
his  death  faithfully  served  the  church. 
He  was  noted  for  his  humility  and 
meekness,   and   was   greatly   loved   by 


216 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


those  among  whom  he  labored.  He 
was  twice  married  and  several  child- 
ren and  many  grandchildren  survive 
hiim.  Among  his  children  is  Elder 
David  L.  Porter  of  Mississippi. 


THOMAS    POTEET. 

Poteet,  Elder  Thomas,  who  died  in 
1843  was  an  able  and  faithful  minister. 
His  services  were  mostly  confined 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Baltimore 
Association.  His  labors  were  blessed 
to  the  upbuilding  of  the  cause  of 
truth  and  to  the  edification  of  God's 
children. 


G.    POTTER. 

Potter,  Elder  G.,  was  born  in 
Surry  County,  N.  O,  1798.  His  pa- 
rents were  both  born  in  England. 
Both  lived  and  died  Primitive  Bap- 
tists. Brother  Potter,  while  living  at 
home  with  his  parents,  was  made  to 
see  himself  a  sinner.  He  said:  "As 
I  compared  myself  with  God's  word, 
'sin'  revived  and  I  died  to  all  hope 
of  salvation  by  my  good  deeds,  and  I 
understood  no  other.  As  I  returned 
with  my  father  from  meeting  one 
night,  just  us  two  alone,  I  stopped 
and  told  him  I  was  ruined;  that  I 
saw  no  way  of  my  escape.  I  never 
shall  forget  the  terrible  gloom  that 
was  upon  me  that  night.  About  mid- 
night I  got  up  and  left  the  house  with 
no  particular  place  in  view  and  I  went 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  or  more  and  fell 
on  my  face  and  tried  to  pray.  And 
I  thought  of  the  words,  'Come  unto 
me  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy 
laden  and  I  will  give  you  rest.'  In  a 
moment  I  felt  sure  that  these  words 
applied  to  me  and  my  sense  of  ruin 
and  guilt  was  gone,  and  I  was  happy 
and  rejoiced  in  the  sweet  assurance 
that  Christ  was  mine."  After  receiv- 
ing a  hope  in  Christ,  Bro.  Potter  be- 
came concerned  about  joining  the 
church  and,  being  fully  convinced  by 
reading  the  Testament  and  by  his  ex- 
perience that  the  Primitive  Baptist 
was  the  church,  he  joined  that  church 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Thomas 
Oliphant.  After  joining  the  church  his 
mind  was  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
preaching  the  gospel  of  the  Son  of 
God,,  and  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry  in  1824. 
He  died  March,  1894,  aged  ninety-five 
years,  nine  months,  having  served  in 


the  ministry  seventy-one  years,  and 
was  faithful  until  the  end.  He  died  as 
he  lived,  trusting  in  God. 


LEMUEL    POTTER. 

Potter,  Elder  Lemuel.  This  eminent 
servant  of  God  met  the  last  enemy  in 
his  fiity-sixth  year,  and  was  buried  at 
Poseyville,  Ind.,  December  10,  1897.  In 
18G3  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lydia 
Jane  Humphreys  who  bore  him  seven 
children,  five  of  whom  survive.  He 
joined  Providence  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  of  Wayne  County,  111.,  in  1863, 
and  was  ordained  to  the  work  of 
the  ministry  in  April,  18G7.  He  was 
an  untiring  student,  and  he  un- 
derstood and  believed  the  doctrine 
of  his  church  and  defended  it 
with  a  zeal  and  energy  that  has 
never  been  surpassed  by  anyone 
in  our  midst.  He  frequently  engaged 
in  public  debates,  and  was  willing  to 
defend  our  people  against  any  one  op- 
posing. He  knew  what  he  believed  and 
why,  and  was  entirely  fearless.  He  was 
not  an  ambitious  man;  he  was  for  the 
peace  to  our  ueople;  he  once  said  he 
"Wanted  no  Potterites"  to  follow  him; 
he  was  not  covetous,  but  was  content 
with  such  things  as  he  had.  He  left 
a  small  estate  to  his  family.  Had  he 
devoted  his  talent  to  the  work  ot 
accumulating,  he  could  have  amassed 
a  fortune.  His  oratorical  power  and 
talent  would  have  graced  the  senate 
chamber,  but  God  gave  it  to  our  peo- 
ple, and  we  enjoyed  it  for  over  a  quar- 
ter of  a  century.  He  was  loved  by  his 
people,  and  was  faithful  even  unto 
death.  His  personal  character  was 
without  a  stain,  and  he  was  so  widely 
known    and      so    universally     beloved 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


217 


that  it  would  seem  almost  superfluous 
to  speak  of  his  character  or  work.  He 
traveled  much  among  the  churches 
and  associations,  and  labored  untir- 
ingly wherever  circumstances  placed 
him.  He  was  the  founder  of  the 
Church  Advocate,  and  its  editor  until 
his  death.  As  a  defender  and  advocate 
of  the  faith  and  doctrine  of  the  Old 
School  or  Primitive  Baptists,  we  judge 
none  among  us  were  his  superiors. 
His  instructive  autobiography  in  gen- 
eral circulation  among  our  people  is 
esteemed  of  great  value  and  a  record 
that  prevents  the  need  of  many  words 
here.  As  an  author  and  editor,  a  min- 
ister and  pastor,  a  debator  and  de- 
fender, a  pulpit  orator  and  expounder 
of  the  Bible  and  Bible  doctrine,  and 
as  a  Christian  and  high  toned  gen- 
tleman, he  was  of  the  first  rank 
among  our  people,  a  bright  example 
for  our  imitation,  that  we  may  excel 
in  the  Church  of  God  below. 


G.  B.  POWELL. 

Powell,  Elder  G.  B.  (1838-1905),  of 
North  Carolina,  was  the  son  of  "Wlillie 
and  Alice  Powell,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Cedar 
Grove,  Wake  County,  N.  C,  1866,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  B.  Temple.  He 
was  in  the  same  year  chosen  clerk  of 
his  church  and  in  1872  ordained  a 
deacon  and  in  1887  ordained  to  the  gos- 
pel ministry  by  Elders  James  Wilson 
and  John  C.  Hudgens.  He  was  of  a 
family  noted  for  kindness  and  hospi- 
tality, frankness,  seriousness,  truth- 
fulness and  most  comely  demeanor, 
and  was  a  gifted  preacher. 


B.   W.    POWER. 

Power,  Elder  B.  W.,  of  Hamshire 
County  W.  Wa„  was  born  in  Loudon 
County,  Va.,  December  26,  1836,  raised 
by  parents  who  were  members  of  the 
New  School  Baptist  Church  and  sent 
to  Sunday  School  and  became  a  Sun- 
day school  teacher,  at  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen, became  much  interested  in  his 
soul's  salvation  and  united  with  the 
New  School  Church,  but  becoming 
dissatisfied  left  them  and  joined  the 
Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptists  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Lewis  Kagy.  He 
was  soon  licensed  to  preach  by  Mt. 
Olive  Church,  Morgan  County,  O., — 
near  where  he  was  then  living, — and 
soon  after  he  moved  to  his  present 
home  he  was  ordained  by  Little  Capon 
Church  in  1886  to  the  full  functions  of 


the  gospel,  and  has  since  had  the  care 
of  three  to  five  churches,  and  is  a 
faithful  minister,  seldom  missing  an 
appointment  though  in  his  seventy- 
third  year  of  age.  He  is  also  noted 
for   his   frugality,   industry  and   hospi- 


B.  w.   POWER 

tality.  He  served  about  one  year  in 
the  war  and  was  in  the  battles  of 
Mannasas,  Bull  Run  and  Ball's  Bluff 
and  was  afterwards  married  to  Miss 
Mary  F.  Sullivan  of  Leesburg,  Va.,  to 
whom  were  born  thirteen  children, 
most  of  whom  are  still  living. 


H.    H.    POULSON. 

Poulson,  Eider  H.  H.  (1850-1901),  of 
Indiana,  was  born  in  Harrison  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  and  moved  to  Orange  County, 
Ind.,  about  the  year  1850.  A  few  years 
previous  to  his  death  he  moved  to  the 
French  Lick  Springs,  in  the  above 
named  county.  He  joined  the  Baptist 
Church  at  Sinking  Spring,  1855,  and 
was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry  1SS9.  Elder  Poulson  was 
given  to  hospitality.  His  kindness  and 
generosity  won  for  him  a  wide  circle 
of  friends.  His  home  was  a  Baptist 
home  where  many  weary  pilgrims 
found  rest  and  refreshment.  His  pas- 
toral labors  were  principally  confined 
to  churches  near  his  home,  where  he 
labored  with  due  reverence  and  godly 
zeal  that  made  his  labors  very  accept- 
able and  profitable  to  all  that  re- 
ceived them.  He  was  a  kind  husband 
and  father;  a  highly  respected  citizen. 


T.     M.     POULSON. 

Poulson,  Elder  T.  M.,  of  Massey.Va., 
was  bcrn  January  14,  1831.  His 
parents  were     members     of  the  Mis- 


218 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


sionary  or  New  School  Church  and  he 
was  taught  by  preceptf  and  example 
the  moral  law.  But  when  he  was  given 
an  experience  of  grace,  which  began 
with  him  in  early  youth,  he  was  made 
to  know  that  salvation  was  of  the 
Lord  and  not  of  men,  and  he  discarded 
all  human  agencies  in  the  matter  of 
giving  life  to  the  dead  sinner.  During 
this  time  he  had  never  heard  a  Prim- 
itive Baptist  preach,  and  when  some- 
time afterwards  he  heard  the  gospel 
preached  by  them  he  felt  they  were 
his  people,  united  with  Mesongoes 
Church,  Accomack  County,  Va.,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  T.  Waters.  He 
began  preaching  in  18GS  and  in  July, 
1869,  was  ordained  by  Elders  S.  H. 
Durand,  E.  Rittenhouse  and  G.  W. 
Staton  and  has  since  had  the  care  of 
from  two  to  five  churches.  Elder  Poul- 
son  is  now  in  his  seventy-eighth  year 
but  is  strong  in  faith,  zealous  in  the 
cause  and  still  faithful  to  the  churches 
of  his  care,  traveling  hundreds  and 
thousands  of  miles  a  year  in  his  ef- 
forts to  glorify  God  and  benefit  his 
people. 


J.   THOMPSON    POWER. 

Power.  Eider  J.  Thompson,  of  Lev- 
els, W.  Va.,  was  born  in  Washington 
County,  O.,  June  17,  1871,  where  he 
lived  till  the  age  of  fourteen 
when  he  moved  with  his  pa- 
rents to  Hampshire  County,  W.  Va. 
He  was  raised  at  hard  labor  on  his 
father's  farm  and  was  kept  so  busy 
that  he  had  very  little  time  for  study- 
ing or  going  to  school,  and  found  him- 
self well  grown  with  but  little  educa- 
tion. He  however,  realized  tne  im- 
portance  of  an   education   and   set  to 


work  to  secure  what  he  could  and  in 
a  short  time  he  was  able  to  pass  a 
teacher's  examination  and  secure  a 
certificate  for  teaching.  He  taught  his 
first  term  of  school  in  1890,  at  the  age 
of  nineteen,  and  contiuued  teaching 
for  fifteen  years,  missing  but  one  term 
during  the  entire  time.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Sallie  A.  Wills  in  1893, 
and  to  this  union  has  been  born  seven 
sons,  B.  Wilson,  J.  Rodney,  F.  Ray, 
Wallace  C  ,  Curtis  G.,  John  T.,  and 
Charles  Boyd.  Elder  Power  and  wife 
united  with  the  Little  Capon  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Church  in  October,  1906, 
and  were  baptized  by  his  father — Eld- 
er B.  W.  Power.  He  was  licensed  to 
preach  in  1907,  and  is  now  serving 
three  churches,  Bethel,  Gt.  Capon, 
and  Enon,  all  in  West  Virginia. 


REES     PRATHER. 

Prather,  Elder  Rees,  of  West  Point, 
Ga.  This  zealous  and  humble  brother 
was  born  November  8,  1857,  obtained 
a  well  grounded  hope  in  Christ  in  his 
fifteenth  year  and  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Emmaus 
Troup  County,  Ga.  His  gift  was  soon 
discovered.  He  was  licensed  to  preach 
in  May,  1884,  and  was  ordained  to 
the  full  functions  of  the  gospel  minis- 
try April  4,  1890.  Elder  Prather  has, 
since  his  ordination,  has  had  the  care 
of  several  churches,  and  is  dearly  be- 
hoved   by    the    people   who   know    him 

best.  

J.    D.    H.    PRICE. 

Price,  Elder  J.  D.  H.,  of  Greencastle, 
Mo.,  serves  churches  in  the  Hazel 
Creek  Association.  The  editor,  howev- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


219 


er,  failed  to  secure  data  from  which 
to  prepare  a  suitable  sketch  of  Elder 
Price's  life  and  labors. 


WILLIAM    PRIEST. 

Priest,  Elder  William  (1808-1892), 
of  Mo.  The  subject  of  this  memoir 
was  born  in  Fauquier  County,  Va.,  and 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah 
H.  Payne  of  the  same  state  in  Janu- 
ary, 1830,  and  emigrated  to  Ralls 
County,  Mo.,  in  the  year  of  1832,  and 
engaged  in  the  vocation  of  farming. 
In  1846,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of 
the  citizens  from  the  counties  com- 
posing the  senatorial  district,  he  con- 
sented to  become  a  candidate,  and 
served  them  for  four  years  with  dis- 
tinction and  ability,  and  was  the  peer 
of  any  of  his  colleagues.  In  February, 

1852,  having  been  made  by  God's 
spirit  to  realize  that  he  was  a  justly 
and  truly  condemned  sinner,  and  by 
God's  grace  enabled  to  see  that  He 
for  Christ's  sake  had  pardoned  his 
sins,  presented  himself  to  the  Old 
School  Baptist  Church  called  Flint 
Hill  in  Ralls  County,  and  was  receiv- 
ed into  their  fellowship.  In  February, 

1853,  against  his  strong  protest,  the 
church  licensed  him  to  preach,  and 
in  August  of  the  same  year  he  was 
ordained  by  Elders  William  Davis, 
Chas.  L.  Turner,  Timothy  Rogers  and 
M.  Moore.  He  was  soon  called  to  the 
pastoral  charge  of  four  churches, 
which  he  continued  to  faithfully  serve 
until  stricken  down  with  his  last  ill- 
ness, a  period  of  nearly  forty  years. 
He  attended  these  churches  regularly 
unless     prevented     by   something  be- 


yond human  power  to  avoid.  Much  of 
the  time  he  traveled  on  horseback  one 
of  the  churches  being  a  distance  of 
more  than  forty  miles  from  his  home, 
but  he  cheerfully  performed  this  sol- 
emn duty  to  which  his  Maker  had 
called  him,  not  for  the  sake  of  emolu- 
ment or  the  laudation  and  praise  of 
mankind,  but  for  the  love  and  honor 
of  God,  and  for  the  comfort  of  his 
people  whom  he  so  delighted  to  serve. 
As  an  expounder  of  the  Scriptures, 
he  stood  without  an  equal  in  North- 
east Missouri.  But  few  ministers  ever 
possessed  the  faculty  of  retaining  the 
attention  of  an  audience  so  closely. 
In  1875,  at  the  urgent  request  of  the 
citizens  of  Ralls  and  Shelby  counties, 
he  consented  to  become  a  member  of 
the  convention  for  framing  a  new  con- 
stitution for  the  state  of  Missouri,  and 
was  unanimously  elected  without  even 
leaving  his  home  to  make  a  canvass. 
He  was  an  active  member  of  the  judi- 
ciary committee,  and  to  his  mature 
judgment  and  keen  foresight  are  we 
indebted  for  many  wise  measures  in 
our  present  constitution,  and  likewise 
through  his  influence  many  obnoxious 
ones  were  eliminated.  In  the  year  of 
1872  the  county  of  Ralls,  having  be- 
come almost  hopelessly  involved 
through  the  contracting  of  railroad 
debts,  he  was  chosen  as  Presiding 
Judge  of  the  county,  and  after  serving 
them  faithfuly  for  four  years,  he 
brought  the  affairs  of  the  county  out 
of  its  chaotic  state  and  placed  its 
credit  on  a  firm  basis.  He  retired  to 
private  life  and  refused  to  again  serve 
in  office,  although  being  strongly  im- 
portuned by  leading  citizens  from  all 
over  the  state  to  consent  to  become  a 
candidate  for  governor.  During  all  of 
his  active  public  career  he  never  for- 
got or  neglected  that  duty  which  the 
Divine  Maker  had  enjoined  upon  him 
— to  preach  the  unsearchable  riches 
of  His  grace  to  a  dying  and  sinful 
world. 


JOHN   F.   PRIEST. 

Priest,  Elder  John  F.,  of  Marshall, 
Va.,  was  born  in  Paris,  a  little  village 
in  Fauquier  County,  Va.,  March  20, 
1855,  received  a  hope  in  the  Saviour 
in  1807,  united  with  the  Old  School 
Baptists  at  Gourdvine  Church  in  Rap- 
pahannock County,  August,  187G,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  John  K.  Boot- 
on.  Some  years  later  he  moved  his 
membership  to  Barrows  Run  Church 
where  he  was  in  1902  licensed  to 
preach  and  in  January,  1905,  ordained 


220 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


by  Elders  J.  A.  Norton  and  G.  W. 
Lowe.  Elder  Priest  now  has  the  care 
of  two  churches  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Ketocton   Association. 


JOHN    PRITCHARD. 

Pritchard,  Elder  John  (1821-1904), 
of  Ohio.  This  eminent  minister  was 
the  oldest  son  of  a  family  of  sixteen 
children  and  was  born  in  Licking 
County,  0.  His  parents  were  Guilford 
and  Jane  G.  (Cook)  Pritchard  and 
moved  from  Culpepper  County,  Va., 
about  1817.  Elder  Pritchard  obtained 
a  hope  in  Christ  in  his  nineteenth 
year,  united  with  the  Lost  Run  (Now 
St.  Louisville)  Church  in  1843,  was 
licensed  to  preach  January,  1849,  and 
ordained  1854,  by  Elders  John  Fry, 
Minor  McQueen  and  Amos  Farmer, 
and  for  fifty  years  proved  a  faithful 
under-shepherd.  He  served  St.  Louis- 
ville Church  fifty  years,  Pleasant 
Hill  thirty-two,  Beulah  forty,  Goshen 
twenty-five  and  Mt.  Pisgah  thirty-five 
years.  For  five  years  he  served  Lick- 
ing Association  as  moderator  and  for 
twenty-six  years  was  moderator  of  the 
Muskegum  Association.  He  attended 
over  eight  hundred  funerals,  married 
over  seven  hundred  couples  and  bap- 
tized over  one  thousand  persons,  and 
was  indeed  a  father  in  Israel.  In  his 
twenty-third  year  of  age  he  was  hap- 
pily married  to  Miss  Mary  Coffman 
who  was  indeed  a  true  companion,  and 
survived  him  three  years.  A  kind 
neighbor,  true  friend,  a  good  father, 
affectionate  husband,  a  good  citizen 
and  faithful  man  of  God  he  died  in  his 
eighty-second  year  as  he  had  lived — 
trusting  God  and  looking  to  him  for 
salvation. 


G.  W.   PUCKETT. 

Puckett,  Elder  G.  W.,  of  Elmwood, 
La.,  is  moderator  of  the  Louisiana 
Bithynia  Primitive  Baptist  Associa- 
tion and  it  is  with  regret  that  suffi- 
cient data  for  an  extended  notice  of 
his  life  and  labors  could  not  be  ob- 
tained. 


J.    H.   PUREFOY.    (M.   D.) 

Purefoy,    Elder    J.    H.     (M.    D.),      of 

Furman,  Ala.,,  was  born  at  Snow  Hill, 
Wilcox  County,  Ala.,  September  the 
9th,  1837,  and  died  at  his  residence 
in  the  community  of  his  birth,  Novem- 
ber 22,  1908.  His  spiritual  birth  dates 
from  his  sixteenth  year.  He  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Snow 
Hill,  Ala.,  in  his  eighteenth  year, 
where  his  parents  were  members 
many  years  before  him.  Elder  Purefoy 
began  preaching  when  about  thirty- 
eight  years  old,  served  as  pastor  of 
churches  five  years,  and  as  an  evan- 
gelist about  thirteen  years,  devoting 
his  whole  time  to  it.  He  traveled  and 
preached  through  all  the  southern  and 
middle  states  and  a  portion  of  Canada 
and  Michigan.  While  serving  churches 
in  pastoral  work  he  supported  himself 
and  family  by  his  own  labor,  but  as  an 
evangelist  the  voluntary  contribution 
of  brethren  and  friends  afforded  him 
and  his  family  ample  support,  so  that 
they  lacked  nothing  in  temporal 
things.  His  literary  training  was  re- 
ceived in  the  schools  of  his  communi- 
ty, and  in  1859,  when  twenty-two 
years  of  age,  he  graduated  in  medicine 
from  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  immediately  began 
the  practice  of  medicine  in  his  home 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


221 


village.  He  enlisted  in  the  Confederate 
(States)  Army,  in  1861,  and  was  as- 
signed to  duty  as  surgeon  in  the  44th 
Alabama  Regiment,  filling  his  post  to 
the  close  of  the  war  with  perfect 
satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  Return- 
ing home  at  the  close  of  the  war 
he  resumed  the  practice  of  medicine 
at  his  native  village  and  soon  became 
one  of  the  most  popular  practitioners 
in  all  his  section  of  the  state,  during 
all  of  which  time  he  was  an  active 
church  member.  After  a  few  years  he 
gave  up  the  practice  of  medicine  and 
gave  himself  to  the  ministry  until  his 
health  broke  down  some  twelve  years 
ago.  In  every  relationship  of  life  Dr. 
Purefoy  was  a  notable  faithful  man. 
As  a  physician,  he  was  prompt,  wise, 
sympathetic,  and  merciful.  As  a  sol- 
dier he  was  brave,  loyal  and  kind; 
as  a  husband  and  father,  he  was  pas- 
sionately fond  of  his  family,  and  pro- 
vided for  them  well,  as  a  Christian 
and  member  of  the  church,  he  was 
pious,  always  at  his  post,  brotherly, 
wise  in  counsel,  and  liberal  with  his 
means;  as  a  preacher,  he  was  sound 
in  doctrine,  loyal  to  the  book,  clear  in 
statements,  fervent  in  spirit,  and 
deeply  reverent  in  his  demeanor. 
When  Elder  E.  H.  Burram  began  to 
advocate  publicly  the  doctrine  of  re- 
generation through  the  written  and 
preached  word,  followed  by  his  pleas 
for  toleration  while  at  the  same  time 
pressing  his  Armenian  practices,  Eld- 
er Purefoy  was  one  of  the  first  to  warn 
the  Baptists  of  the  Ketocton  and 
Ebenezer  Associations  against  these 
things  and  to  publicly  condemn  this 
heresy.  And  hundreds  of  Baptists  of 
Virginia,  who  passed  through  the  divi- 
sion of  1890  still  remember  the  bold 
defense  of  their  cause  by  this  faithful 
soldier  and  will  ever  honor  and  love 
his  memory.      

WILLIAM    J.    PURINGTON. 


character  were  in  striking  accord  with 
the  doctrine  he  held,  loved  and  preach- 
ed. His  labors  in  the  ministry  fully 
sustained  the  confession  which  he 
made  unto  salvation  and  unto  his  call 
to  preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ.  He  was  bold  in  the  faith,  able 
and  fearless  in  proclaiming  the  sincere 
convictions  of  an  honest  heart,  and  en- 
tertained no  manner  of  compromise  for 
what  he  esteemed  as  the  fundamental 
principles  of  truth.  His  bearing  was 
grave  his  manner  fatherly,  his  pres- 
ence was  commanding,  and  yet  endeai*- 
ing,  his  conversation  was  instructive  in 
doctrine,  in  discipline,  in  love  and  in 
good  works,  and  his  counsels  were 
pointed,  timely  and  wholesome.  He 
possessed  the  sternness  and  inflexibil- 
ity of  man,  the  gentleness  and  ten- 
derness of  woman,  and  the  meekness, 
humbleness  and  simplicity  of  a  little 
child."  For  a  number  of  years  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  he  was  the  be- 
loved pastor  of  Hopewell  Church  in 
New  Jersey — now  served  by  Elder 
F.  A.  Chick. 


JOSEPH     L.    PURINGTON. 


Purington,  Elder  William  J.,  of  New 
Jersey.  The  editor  regrets  that  a  com- 
plete sketch  of  the  life  and  labors  of 
this  gifted  man  of  God  could  not  ap- 
pear. However,  we  give  below  Elder 
P.  G.  Lester's  opinion  of  him  which 
was  published  in  Zion's  Landmark 
some  years  ago.  Elder  Lester  says: 
"In  his  death  the  church  has  sustain- 
ed the  loss  of  one  of  the  ablest  minis- 
ters of  the  New  Testament  of  this 
day  and  generation  and  perhaps  any 
other  generation  since  the  days  of  in- 
inspiration.  He  was  wonderfully  gift- 
ed of  God,  and  was  one  of  the  few  who 
seemed  to  be  evidently  set  for  the 
defense    of   the    gospel.    His    life    and 


Purington,  Elder  Joseph  L„  depart- 
ed this  life  January  3,  1S75,  aged  fifty- 
four  years,  four  months  and  twenty- 
eight  days.  He  was  ordained  in  Maine 
in  September,  1841.  He  spent  several 
years  in  Georgia,  where  he  served  a 
number  of  churches.  He  moved  to  Al- 
exandria, March  31,  1870,  where  he 
had  the  pastoral  care  of  six  churches. 
During  the  four  years  that  he  resided 
in  Alexandria  he  baptized  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-four  persons.  The 
circumstances  of  his  death  were  pecu- 
liar. On  Tuesday  evening,  January  2, 
Elder  Bartley  had  preached  in  the  hall 
where  the  church  met  for  worship, 
and   Elder     Purington     followed   with 


222 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


some  remarks,  appearing  much  elated 
in  his  mind,  and  remarked,  as  he  had 
a  few  days  previous,  that  he  wished,  if 
according  to  God's  will,  that  he  might 
die  at  his  post.  He  then  read  hymn 
No.  962,  Beebe's  collection,  which  was 
sung,  and  the  service  of  the  evening 
closed.  In  three  or  four  minutes  he 
complained  of  being  very  sick  and 
sat  down,  when  with  the  assistance  he 
walked  into  another  room,  where  he 
passed  away  on  Thursday.  His  desire 
was  granted,  for  he  died  at  his  post. 
He  expired  in  the  building  where  he 
had  so  many  times  preached  the  gos- 
pel of  the  Son  of  God.  Elder  Puring- 
ton  was  a  gifted  preacher  and  greatly 
loved  by  those  among  whom  he  la- 
bored.   

T.   K.   PURSLFY. 

Pursley,  Elder  T.  K.,  of  Georgia. 
This  A\ell  known  minister  of  Georgia 
was  born  in  South  Carolina  in  1810, 
raised  by  Presbyterian  parents  and 
joined  their  church,  but  rinding  that 
the  doctrine  preached  by  them  did  not 
agree  with  his  experience  he  became 
dissatisfied,  and  after  much  conflict 
of  mind  and  sorrow  of  heart  left  his 
former  friends  and  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists,  even  against  the 
wishes  of  his  mother.  She  and  others 
would  try  to  show  him  that  to  do  so 
would  be  to  throw  himself  away,  for 
said  they,  "these  are  ignorant  people." 
But  God  had  a  work  for  him,  brought 
him  to  see  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus, 


and  gave  him  a  love  for  those  who 
contended  for  the  doctrine  and  prac- 
tice of  the  apostolic  church.  He  was 
soon  licensed,  and  afterwards  ordain- 
ed to  preach.  His  first  attempt  to  pro- 
claim Jesus,  the  way,  the  truth  and 
the  life,  was  about  1833,  near  York- 
ville,  S.  C.  From  that  time  until  his 
death  he  traveled  thousands  of  miles 
in  different  states  preaching  salvation 
by  grace.  Sometime  after  his  ordina- 
tion he  settled  in  Georgia,  near  An- 
dersonville,  and  lived  in  this  state  the 
balance  of  his  earthly  pilgrimage  and 
died  at  a  ripe  old  age  in  the  full  tri- 
umph of  faith. 


JOHN   W.   PURVIS. 

Purvis,  Elder  John  W.,  of  North 
Carolina,  son  of  Gabriel  and  Galitha 
Purvis,  was  born  in  Martin  County, 
North  Carolina,  August  5,  1811,  and 
died  May  25,  1880.  He  was  blessed 
with  a  hope  in  the  Saviour  and  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptist  at  Conoho 
Church,  Martin  County,  in  1851,  and 
baptized  by  Elder  Blount  Cooper.  A 
few  years  later  he  was  licensed  by 
his  home  church  to  preach  and  in  Jan- 
uary, 1860,  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry  by  Elders 
C.  B.  Hassell  and  Martin  Ross.  Elder 
Purvis  proved  his  love  for  the  cause 
of  God  and  truth  by  faithfully  deliver- 
ing the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour 
and  by  a  godly  walk  and  conversa- 
tion. 


Q 


B.    F.    QUERRY. 

Querry,      Elder      B.    F.,     of     Wilton, 
Boone  County,  Mo.,  was  born  in  Ray 


County,  Mo.,  November  4,  1846. 
Though  young  he  served  in  the  war 
between  the  states  in  Co.  B.  13th  Mo. 
Vol.  Cavalry.  In  1868  he  professed  a 
hope  in  Jesus,  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptists  at  States'  Creek  Church 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  John  Tur- 
nage.  He  began  preaching  in  1870,  and 
in  March,  1871,  was  ordained  to  the 
gospel  ministry  by  Elders  Wm.  Jones, 
John  Turnage  and  Anderson  Jones.  He 
has  since  served  several  churches  in 
Missouri  and  Illinois;  has  done  much 
evangelistic  work,  and  has  baptized 
about  one  thousand  persons.  He  lived 
in  Raymond,  HI,  twenty-one  years, 
then  moved  to  Boone  County,  Mo.,  and 
took  charge  of  Goshen  and  Rocky 
Fork  churches,  and  in  one  year's  time 
baptized  in  Goshen  church  alone  over 
one  hundred  persons.  Elder  Querry  is 
sound  in  the  faith,  able  in  defense, 
and  has  engaged  in  one  or  two  public 
discussions;    is  a  close  Bible  student, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


223 


a  profound  reasoner,  tender  exhorter 
and  a  wise  sheep  and  lamb  feeder. 
Though  gifted,  he  does  not  strive  for 
the  mastery,  but  confesses  himself  a 
sinner,  feels  to  be  little  and  desires  to 
give  God  all  the  glory. 


J.  M.  QUILLAN. 

Quillan,  Elder  J.  M.,  of  Jessee,  Va., 
has  the  care  of  churches  in  the  Stony 
Creek  Association  of  Primitive  Bap- 
tists and  is  also  the  beloved  modera- 
tor of  this  body.  A  full  sketch  of  his 
life  could  not  be  obtained. 


R 


CHAS.   W.    RATCLIFF. 

Ratcliff,  Elder  Chas.  W.,  of  Mt.  Ver- 
non, Ind.  This  able,  humble  and  useful 
minister  of  the  New  Testament  was 
born  in  Washington  County,  Septem- 
ber 23,  1856.  In  his  eleventh  year  of 
age  he  united  with  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists at  Unity  Church  of  Washington 
County,  and  in  his  thirty-third  year  of 
age — in  1889 — he  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry.  Since  that 
time  Elder  Ratliff  has  had  the  care  of 
from  three  to  six  churches,  and  is  at 
present  serving  four.  He  is  highly  es- 
teemed among  his  brethren  for  his 
faithful  defense  of  the  truth  and  la- 
bors of  love,  and  has  ever  stood  firm 
in  the  advocacy  of  the  doctrine  of  God 
our  Saviour  and  the  practices  of  the 
apostolic  church  as  maintained  by  the 
Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptist. 


R.  O.   RAULSTON. 

Raulston,  Elder  R.  O.,  of  South 
Pittsburg,  Tenn.,  son  of  Evander  M. 
Raulston,  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Ma- 
rion    County,     Tenn.,     December  22, 


185C.  His  mother,  Barbara  Beene,  sis- 
ter to  Elder  Samuel  Beene,  is  de- 
scended from  the  first  settlers  of 
Tenn.  Elder  Raulston  obtained  a  hope 
when  young  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Samuel  Beene. 
As  it  was  a  very  cold  day  they  broke 
ice  on  the  creek  in  order  that  he 
might  be  baptized.  When  a  young 
man  he  spent  two  years  in  Texas  but 
returned  home  and  joined  Sweetens 
Cove  Church  and  was  afterwards 
married  to  Miss  Rhoda  Payne  in 
1881.  Six  children  were  born  to 
them,  four  girls  and  two  boys.  He 
served  as  church  clerk  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  and  was  ordained  dea- 
non  some  years  before  his  ordina- 
tion as  elder.  He  has  now  (1908)  been 
clerk  of  his  association,  Sequachee 
Valley,  for  twelve  years.  He  was  or- 


R.   O.   RAULSTON 

dained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  by 
the  church  at  South  Pittsburg,  Tenn., 
in  November,  1903,  the  presbytery 
consisting  of  Elders  A.  J.  Willis,  M.  A. 
Hackworth,  J.  G.  Woodfin,  and  L.  I. 
Pettus.  He  has  never  missed  a  meet- 
ing of  his  association  in  about  twenty- 
six  years;    and   before   his   ordination 


224 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


he  was  always  in  attendance  at  his 
own  church  meetings  and  usually  at- 
tended the  meetings  of  the  other 
churches  within  reach,  often  walking 
to  churches  ten  or  fifteen  miles  dis- 
tant. Since  his  ordination  he  has  been 
serving  three  and  four  churches.  He 
has  followed  various  occupations  and 
has  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the 
peace  in  his  county  for  years.  Elder 
Raulston  is  devoted  to  the  cause  of 
Christ,  defending  the  purity  of  the 
church  in  its  apostolic  doctrine  and 
practices. 


EVANDER      M'KEVER      RAULSTON. 

Raulston,  Elder  Evander  McKever, 
of  Tennessee,  son  of  James  and  Jane 
Raulston,  was  born  on  Caney  Fork 
River  in  Middle  Tennessee,  September 
1,  1818.  The  greater  part  of  his  life 
Avas  spent  in  Marion  County,  Tenn., 
where  he  was  married  to  Miss  Bar- 
bara Beene  in  1841.  He  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in  Au- 
gust, 1846,  and  lived  a  devoted  mem- 
ber until  his  death  which  occurred 
October  22,  1870.  Elder  Raulston's 
ministerial  work  was  very  short  as 
his  ordination  occurred  only  about  a 
year  before  his  death;  and  for  a  great 
part  of  that  time  his  rapidly  failing 
health  prevented  his  going  away  from 
home.  He  attended  the  meetings  of 
his  home  church,  however,  until  he 
was  no  longer  strong  enough  to  be 
conveyed   to   the   church. 


A.    L.   RAY. 

Ray,   Elder   A.    L.,   of     Baker     Hill., 
Ala.,    was    born    in    Barbour      County, 


Ala.,  February  28,  1857.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  united  with  the  Missionary 
or  New  School  Baptist  Church  and 
remained  with  them  twenty  years. 
Having  become  dissatisfied  with  their 
doctrine  and  practice  he  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  at  County  Line 
Church  in  August,  1897,  and  was  in 
October  following  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  Elder  Ray  has, 
since  his  ordination,  had  the  care  of 
from  three  to  four  churches  and  has 
by  his  faithful  life  and  earnest  labors, 
proven  his  love  for  the  cause  of  truth, 
and   can  truthfully   sing: 

"I  love  thy  kingdom,  Lord; 

The  house  of  thine  abode, 

The  church  our  blessed  Redeemer 
bought 

With  His  own  precious  blood." 


H.  J.   REDD. 

Redd,  Elder  H.  J.,  of  Avondale,  Ala., 
was  born  in  Tuscaloosa  County,  Ala., 
November  17,  1848,  raised  on  a  farm 
and  had  but  few  advantages  of  an  ed- 
ucation, or  of  attending  the  services 
of  any  church — never  hearing  preach- 
ing but  three  times  before  his  fif- 
teenth year — and  united  with  the  Mis- 
sionary or  New  School  Baptists  when 
about  this  age.  Not  feeling  they  were 
his  people  after  hearing  the  Primitive 
Baptists  he  united  with  the  latter 
when  twenty-two  years  old  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  J.  D.  Chandler.  In 
1885  he  was  ordained  to  the  ministry 
by  EMers  W.  S.  Norris  and  J.  J. 
Akers.  Moving  from  one  locality  to 
another  has  made  it  necessary  for 
him  to  belong  to  several  churches  dur- 
ing which  time  he  has  served  several 
charges  and  is  now  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Bessimer,  Ala.,  and  has 
served  as  clerk  of  Pilgrim's  Rest  As- 
sociation for  six  years  and  clerk  of 
the  Olive  Association  about  the  same 
time.  Elder  Redd  is  a  strong  writer 
and  is  firm  in  the  doctrine  and  prac- 
tice of  the  apostolic  church.  Though 
for  many  years  he  has  suffered  much 
bodiiy  affliction  yet  he  has  desired  to 
be  found  in  duty's  pathway  and  feels 
to  say  that  God's  grace  has  sustained 
him  amid  all  trials  and  tem'ptations  of 
his  earthly  pilgrimage. 


J.  W.  REDDICK. 

Reddick,  Elder  J.  W.  (1836-1895),  of 
Kentucky,  was  born  in  Sumner  Coun- 
ty, Tenn.,  married  to  Mary  W.  Par- 
rish  in  Hopkins  County,  Ky.,  Decem- 
ber, 1855,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  Sep- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


225 


tember  13,  1872,  while  in  his  room  at 
home  (after  months  of  deep  convic- 
tion), while  singing  "All  Hail  the 
Power  of  Jesus  Name,"  was  brought 
from  darkness  unto  light  and  made  to 
realize  in  the  fullest  sense  that  it  was 
the  "gift  of  God"  that  he  was  saved, 
and  ever  afterward  his  daily  walk 
and  conversation  attested  the  fact 
that  divine  grace  had  wrought  in  his 
inner  heart  and  life  a  deep  and  abid- 
ing change.  He  was  baptized  into  the 
fellowship  of  East  Station  Camp 
Church  by  Elder  John  Petty  in 
1873.  Soon  thereafter  he  felt  called 
upon  to  teach  the  word  of  God  and  be- 
came an  able  exponent  of  the  doc- 
trine advocated  by  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists. Although  making  no  loud  pre- 
tentions,, his  daily  walk,  his  quiet 
manifestations  of  brotherly  kindness, 
love  for  the  church  and  love  for  God 
and  the  cause  of  Christ  was  sufficient 
to  command  the  utmost  confidence  of 
all  who  knew  him.  He  died  quietly, 
peacefully  and  with  a  perfect  resigna- 
tion, trusting  alone  in  Jesus  for  salva- 
tion. 


S.   N.   REDFORD. 


Redford,  Elder  S.  N.,  of  Valley 
Springs,  Texas,  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton County,  November  20,  1872,  pro- 
fessed a  hope  in  Christ  July,  1894,  and 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  at  Valley  Springs,  F'ebruary, 
1896.  His  gift  was  soon  manifested  to 
the  church,  and  he  was  ordained  to 
the  ministerial  work  July,  1900,  and 
has  since  been  spending  from  one- 
third  to  one-half  of  his  time  in  serving 
the  dear  people  of  God.  Elder  Redford 
is    pastor    of    two      churches — one    at 


Austin  and  one  at  Georgetown,  Texas, 
loves  the  cause  of  truth  and  is  a  zeal- 
ous worker  in  his  Master's  vineyard. 


CHARLES     MELLETT     REED. 

Reed,  Elder  Charles  Meilett  (1846- 
1906),  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  A. 
Reed,  was  born  in  Hancock  County, 
Ind.  The  Lord  in  his  great  love  and 
mercy  prepared  Brother  Reed  for  His 
kingdom  and  service,  and  according 
to  his  profession  of  a  good  hope 
through  grace  he  was  received  into 
the  fellowship  of  Lebanon  Church  of 
Primitive  Baptists,  situated  in  Henry 
County,  Ind.,  July,  1864.  He  was  or- 
dained at  Rich  Hill  Church,  Bates 
County,  Mo.,  May  3,  1875,  as  his  home 
was  then  in  Missouri,  where  many 
years  of  his  ministerial  life  were 
spent.  Brother  Reed,  as  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  was  highly  esteemed  for 
his  work's  sake,  an  humble,  true  and 
faithful  preacher  of  God's  righteous- 
ness, brought  in  by  Jesus  Christ,  and 
imputed  to  sinners  for  their  justifica- 
tion. For  this  was  his  hope,  his  sal- 
vation, his  joy.  He  was  kind  and  for- 
bearing in  love  with  his  brethren  and 
sisters  in  the  church;  but  in  faithful- 
ness to  his  adored  Saviour  he  was 
firm  in  defense  of  his  holy  teachings 
and  the  honor  of  his  bride,  the  church. 


THOMAS    REEDER. 

Reeder,  Elder  Thomas,  of  Illinois, 
This  earnest  and  able  defender  of  the 
gospel  as  it  is  in  Jesus  died  March  5, 
1899.  He  was  born  in  Indiana,  Decern- 


226 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


ber  26,  1841,  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptists  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  in  the 
year  1868.  In  May,  1872,  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  gospel  ministry  and  was 
soon   called   to   the   care  of  his  home 


THOMAS     REEDER 

church,  and  served  this  and  other 
churches,  until  his  death.  He  was  a 
brother  of  Elder  Nathan  Reeder.  Data 
for  a  more  complete  sketch  could  not 
be  obtained. 


NATHAN     REEDER. 

Reeder,  Elder  Nathan,  of  Caney, 
Kan.,  was  born  in  Illinois,  September 
2,  1845,  and  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  in  1865.  In  the  year 
1884  he  was  ordained  to  all  the  func- 
tions of  the  gospel  ministry  and  has 
since   had    the    care   cf    churches.    He 


has  been  pastor  of  his  home  church 
for  twenty-five  years  and  is  at  present 
Moderator  of  the  Elk  River  Associa- 
tion. Elder  Reeder  is  an  humble  and 
useful  minister  and  the  editor  regrets 
that  data  for  a  more  extended  sketch 
cculd  not  be  obtained. 


JOHN    REEDER. 

Reeder,  Elder  John,  of  Eldorado, 
111.,  who  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  some 
years  ago,  was  born  in  Illinois,  No- 
vember 28,  1854,  and  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  in  1888. 
Soon  afterwards  he  was  chosen  past- 
or of  his  home  church  which  he  serv- 
ed until  his  death,  baptizing  more 
than  fifty  persons  in  this  church  in  a 
few  years.  He  also  had  the  care  of 
other  churches,  all  of  which  he  faith- 
fully served.  He  was  an  interesting 
speaker  and  earnestly  contended  for 
the  faith  once  delivered  unto  the 
saints  and  was  highly  esteemed 
among  his  people. 


GILES  REEDER. 

Reeder,  Elder  Giles,  of  Winchester, 
111.,  was  born  in  Scott  County,  111.,  No- 
vember 19,  1848,  and  united  with 
Friendship  Church,  Winchester,  111.,  in 
November,  1878,  where  he  still  has 
membership.  He  was  ordained  March 
21,  1891,  and  is  a  close  Bible  student. 
It  is  with  regret  that  a  fuller  sketch 
of  Elder  Reeder  could  not  be  obtained 
for  this  work. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


227 


SIMON    REEDER. 

Reeder,  Elder  Simon,  of  Morris 
City,  111.,  was  born  March  24,  1849, 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  in  the  twenty-second  year 
of  his  age,  was  soon  licensed, 
and  in  1880  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  Elder 
Reeder  is  moderator  of  Muddy  River 
Association  of  Regular  Baptists  and 
faithfully  serves  churches  in  this  as- 
sociation, and  is  highly  esteemed  by 
our  people. 


F.   M.    REEDS. 

Reeds,  Elder  F.  M.,  of  Hindsboro, 
111.,  was  born  in  Edgar  County,  111., 
August  13,  1845,  married  to  Miss  An- 
geline  Lumbrick,  18G8,  who  has  prov- 
en a  noble     helpmate     and     who  yet 


walks  pleasantly  beside  him  along 
life's  pathway.  He  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  in  18G9,  and  began 
speaking  in  public  the  same  year,  and 
was  ordained  in  1880  at  Providence 
Church  in  Edgar  County.  Since  then 
he  has  had  the  care  of  churches  and 
has  traveled  some  among  the  Baptists, 
and  desires  to  preach  Jesus  as  an  all- 
sufficient  Saviour.  Bro.  Reeds  is  an 
humble,  unassuming  and  useful  minis- 
ter. He  is  a  farmer  and  wields  a  good 
influence  among  the  people,  and  has 
served  his  county  in  several  positions 
of  trust. 


WILLIAM    J.     REEVES. 

Reeves,  Elder  William  J.,  of  Barnes, 
Iowa,  was  born  in  Mahaska  County, 
Iowa,  June  20,  1847,  and  united  with 
Ebenezer  Church  in  June,  1878.  He 
was  ordained  in  May,  1889,  and  has 
served  the  churches  acceptably  ever 
since.  The  editor  failed  to  secure  data 
from  Elder  Reeves  for  a  fuller  sketch 
for  this  work. 


ENOCH    REEVES. 

Reeves,  Elder  Enoch,  was  born  in 
Grayson  County,  Va.,  June  18,  1801, 
and  died  on  his  birthday,  seventy 
years  later.  In  his  youth  he  was  care- 
less, thoughtless  and  reckless,  and 
cared  nothing  for  religion,  but  the 
Lord  convicted  him  of  sin  and  killed 
him  to  the  love  of  it,  and  led  him  to 
the  church,  which  he  joined  at  Elk 
Creek,  about  1S3S.  He  was  ordained 
1841,  and  soon  took  the  pastoral  care 
of  churches  and  for  about  thirty  years 
he  was  zealous  in  the  Master's  cause, 
going  through  heat  and  cold,  wet  and 
dry,  far  and  near,  preaching  the 
sweet  theme  of  salvation  by  grace.  He 
was  of  a  frank,  kind  and  determined 
disposition,  a  great  defender  of  truth, 
though  humble  in  spirit  and  appear- 
ance. He  was  not  one  to  be  exalted  in 
prosperity  or  depressed  in  adversity, 
but  saw  the  hand  of  God,  controlling 
all  things. 


LUCIUS    REGISTER. 

Register,  Elder  Lucius,  of  Florida, 
was  born  September  3,  1854,  and  died 
June  5,  1901,  at  his  home  in  Dover, 
Hillsboro  County.  He  was  born  in 
Georgia  and  moved  to  Florida  in  early 
manhood,  married  Miss  Mlary  Fender 
who   proved   a   life-long  devoted   com 


228 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


panion;  was  given  a  hope  in  Jesus  in 
1881,  united  with  Mt.  Enon  Church 
and  was  soon  after  licensed  to  preach, 
and  in  1886  was  ordained  by  Elders  T. 
S.  Evers,  J.  W.  Futch  and  E.  Z.  Hull. 
He  was  unassuming  in  his  manners, 
humble  in  his  Christian  walk  and  con- 
versation, a  safe  counsellor  in  times 
of  trouble  and  as  a  minister  had  the 
confidence  of  all  Baptists  who  knew 
him  and  was  recognized  as  an  able 
gift  to  the  church. 


J.    R.    RESPESS. 

Respess,  Elder  J.  R.,  of  Georgia, 
was  born  in  Upson  County,  October  2, 
1831,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Butler, 
Ga.,  February  4,  1895.  As  a  pupil  in 
his  early  school  days,  he  was  bright 
and  studious  and  graduated  at  the 
University  of  Georgia,  admitted  to  the 
bar,  with  every  promise  of  success  in 
his  chosen  profession  of  law.  Some 
years  afterwards  he  was  deeply  exer- 
cised in  mind  about  his  spiritual  con- 
dition, was  given  a  hope  in  the  Sav- 
iour, united  with  Ebenezer  Church  in 
Upson  County,  where  he  was  ordained 
by  Elders  J.  Dickey,  Cromwell  Cleve- 
land and  Samuel  Bentley.  Elder  Wl  C. 
Cleveland  wrote  of  him:  "He  was 
graduated  with  distinction  at  Franklin 
College,  the  University  of  the  state, 
in  the  class  of  several  of  Georgia's 
noted  sons.  He  returned  home,  and 
was  soon  admitted  to  the  bar  with  the 
intention,  and  ability  so  to  do,  of  hew- 
ing out  for  himself  fame  and  fortune 
in  the  things  of  this  life,  and  soon 
took,  as  a  young  lawyer,  the  front 
rank,  with  every  indication  of  a  bright 
future  in  his  profession.  But  God  will- 
ed  with   him   otherwise;    He   had   for 


him  a  nobler  and  better  usefulness; 
one  in  which  victory  is  won  through 
suffering  and  sacrifice.  But  in  so  call- 
ing him  to  a  different  field  of  labor, 
it  was  at  no  expense  of  the  great 
natural  abilities  with  which  He  had 
already  endowed  him;  in  fact,  through 
the  Spirit's  power  they  were  strength- 
ened, utilized,  and  constantly  grew, 
thereby  making  his  life  more  and 
more  useful  to  the  children  of  men, 
and  adding  an  additional  pillar  in  the 
great  arch  of  faith.  Many  a  man  pos- 
sessed of  his  natural  and  spiritual 
abilities,  would  soon  have  forgotten 
his  high  calling,  and  become  vain  and 
proud,  especially  when  added  to  these 
gifts,  was  the  love  and  admiration  of 
all  who  knew  him."  As  a  minister 
Elder  W.  M.  Mitchel  says  of  him: 
"Our  dear  Bro.  Respess  was  truly  a 
man  of  God  and  a  powerful  preacher. 
When  in  the  spirit  of  preaching  it  has 
seemed  to  us  that  no  Christian  could 
hear  him  without  feeling  the  power 
and  sweetness  of  the  word  of  God 
burning  in  his  heart,  His  preaching 
was  in  great  plainness  and  simplicity, 
and  though  he  was  learned  in  the 
schools  of  man,  he  never  made  any 
attempt  at  excellency  of  speech  of 
man's  wisdom.  We  have  never  known 
a  preacher  who  might  have  said  more 
truthfully,  'My  speech  and  my  preach- 
ing is  not  with  enticing  words  of 
man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration 
of  the  Spirit  and  of  power."  .  Elder 
Respess  was  the  founder,  and  for 
many  years  editor  and  proprietor  of 
the  Gospel  Messenger.  Elder  S.  Has- 
sell  who  was  much  associated  with 
him  and  who  is  now  editor  and  pro- 
prietor of  this  useful  paper,  wrote  of 
him:  "In  his  conduct  and  conversa- 
tion he  seemed  to  breathe  forth  the 
very  spirit  of  Jesus.  He  wished  that 
every  other  preacher  in  the  world 
were  a  greater  preacher  than  himself, 
and  every  other  man  a  better  man. 
He  was  willing  to  be  trampled  on  by 
the  whole  church  if  thereby  the  name 
of  Christ  could  be  exalted.  If  his  ene- 
mies spoke  evil  of  him,  he  would  say, 
'Perhaps  it  is  so,,  perhaps  it  is  so,' — 
and  he  would  speak  well  of  them;  if 
they  deeply  injured  and  wronged  him, 
he  would  astonish  me  by  asribing 
to  them  the  most  charitable  motives. 
I  never  knew  a  wiser,  humbler,  kind- 
er, gentler,  more  unselfish,  more 
Christ-like  person  than  dear  Bro.  Res- 
pess. By  great  and  manifold  afflic- 
tions, seasoned  with  Divine  grace,  his 
spirit  was  disciplined,  softened,  sweet- 
ened, and  purified,  and  thus  prepared 
for   entrance    into   eternal   rest." 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


229 


JAMES    REYNOLDS. 

Raynolds,  Elder  James  (1770-1837), 
died  at  his  residence,  in  the  town  of 
Hector,  County  of  Tompkins,  state  of 
New  York,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year 
of  age.  Elder  Reynolds  professed  a 
hope  in  Christ,  when  about  fourteen 
years  of  age;  from  that  time  until  his 
last  expiring  moment,  we  think  it 
might  be  said,  he  was  a  bold  soldier 
of  the  cross.  He  was  among  the  first 
settlers  in  the  town  of  Hector,  and  for 
about  thirty  years  of  his  life,  he 
preached  the  everlasting  gospel  of  the 
kingdom.  During  most  of  this  time  he 
was  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church  of  Christ,  in  Hector,  which 
was  constituted  about  the  time  of  his 
ordination.  Of  this  venerable  servant 
of  God,  we  think  it  may  be  said,  he 
was  not  chargeable  to  any,  but  labor- 
ed with  his  hands  for  his  support,  and 
for  those  that  were  with  him.  He  was 
generally  very  punctual  to  attend  all 
appointments  for  preaching,  church 
and  conference  meetings,  &c„  travel- 
ing over  hills,  and  through  valleys, 
through  heat  or  cold,  over  a  large 
territory,  being  the  only  Baptist 
preacher  in  this  place  for  a  number 
of  years. 

W.    H.    RICHARDS. 

Richards,  Elder  W.  H.,  of  Matthews, 
Ind.  Tbis  noted  and  highly  esteemed 
minister  of  Jesus  was  born  m  tne 
state  of  Ohio,  in  1829,  received  a  hope 
in  the  Saviour  in  early  youth  but  did 
not  unite  with  the  church  until  his 
twenty-third  year.  He  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Win.  McCormick,  and  was  some 
years  afterward  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  and  has  during 
a  long  and  faithful  ministry  proven 
his  love  for  the  cause  of  God  and 
truth.  On  March  19,  1907,  was  the 
fiftieth  anniversary  of  Elder  Richards' 
marriage  to  his  faithful  and  loving 
companion  and  that  day  was  made 
memorable  to  them  and  their  hearts 
made  to  rejoice  by  the  many  tokens  of 
kindness  showered  on  them  by  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  of  their 
brethren,  relatives  and  neighbors. 
The  editor  failed  to  secure  data  for 
more  complete  sketch  of  this  useful 
minister's  life  and  labors. 


JACOB    RICHARDS. 

Richards,  Elder  Jacob  (1824-1904), 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
in  Muskingum  County,  O.,  and  died  at 


his  home  near  Matthews,  Grant  Coun- 
ty, Ind.  When  he  was  nine  years  old 
his  parents  moved  from  Ohio  to  Grant 
County,  Ind.,  and  except  three  years 
residence  in  Iowa,  just  preceding  his 
marriage,  was  a  resident  of  this 
county  for  seventy-one  years.  He  was 
married  to  Susan  Gillispie  in  March 
1845,  and  for  more  than  fifty-six  years 
they  traveled  life's  journey  together, 
sharing  each  others  joys  and  bearing 
each  others  trials  with  a  fidelity  and 
devotion  seldom  witnessed.  Brother 
Richards  united  with  the  New  Har- 
mony Primitive  Baptist  Church  in 
July,  1861,  and  was  elected  church 
clerk  in  September  of  the  same  year 
and  served  in  that  capacity  until  he 
was  liberated  to  preach  in  1866.  He 
was  ordained  1873,  and  was  called  to 
the  pastoral  care  of  this  church  Jan- 
uary, 1874,  and  served  it  as  pastor  for 
nearly  thirty  years.  With  his  family 
he  was  kind  and  generous,  a  devoted 
husband,  kind  and  patient  in  his  af- 
flictions. His  life  was  above  reproach 
and  a  testimony  of  the  sincerity  of 
his  profession.  His  conversation  was 
godly,  ever  seeking  to  elevate,  in 
struct  and  comfort  rather  than  amuse 
and  gratify  the  desires  of  the  flesh. 
As  a  minister  he  sought  not  the  ap- 
plause of  men,  but  rather  the  appro- 
bation of  the  Saviour.  He  was  firmly 
grounded  in  the  faith  of  the  Primitive 
Baptists  and  earnestly  contended  for 
the  same,  yet  kind  to  all  who  differed 
from  him.  His  preaching  was  in  dem- 
onstration of  the  Spirit  and  in  power; 
comforting,  edifying,  binding  together 
in  love  and  cementing  in  sweet  fel- 
lowship and  union  the  Lord's  scatter- 
ed, doubting,  tempest-tossed  children. 
His  labors  were  attended  with  more 
than  ordinary  success.  Called  from  the 
toils  of  farm  life,  as  he  often  said, "poor 
and  ignorant"  to  the  work  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry,  in  much  fear  and  tremb- 
ling and  in  deep  humility  of  soul,  with 
his  faith  alone  in  God  whose  gentle 
Spirit's  whisperings  he  had  heard, 
and  leaning  upon  the  Saviour's  ever- 
lasting arms  and  his  hand  in  His  he 
pressed  forward,  feeling  that  he  who 
had  once  put  his  hands  to  the  plow 
should  not  look  back.  And  God  made 
him  a  blessing  to  His  cause.  Under 
his  ministry  Harmony  Church  arose 
from  a  membership  of  twenty  to  near- 
ly a  hundred,  and  is  today  one  among 
the  strongest  of  our  churches  in  Indi- 
ana. With  but  a  few  exceptions  the 
present  membership  were  all  "  bap- 
tized by  him.  He  was  faithful.  Preach- 
ing for  them,  for  nearly  thirty  years, 
he  never  left  them  without  a  minis- 
ter but  once  ,and  seldom  would  leave 


230 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


them  to  attend  other  meetings.  He 
was  truly  a  man  of  God.  He  is  gone, 
but  his  works  will  follow  him.  "He 
being  dead,  yet  speaketh."  His  life 
will  still  be  an  influence  for  good 
and  his  heavenly,  comforting  words 
will  follow  many  until  they  too  shall 
be   called   home. 


W.    H.   RICHARDS. 

Richards,  Elder  W.  H.,  of  Texas. 
This  eminent  minister  was  born  in 
Johnson  County,  Texas,  June  4,  1861. 
His  parents  were  strict  members  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  he  was  brought  up  in  their  faith, 
being  sprinkled  when  quite  young  and 
was  outwardly  taught  religion  in  their 
Sunday  Schools.  But  his  heart  was  not 
reached,  he  became  a  cowboy  on  the 
western  ranches  and  loved  the  wild 
and  reckless  life  and  the  vices  and 
follies  of  the  world.  However,  he  was 
not  allowed  to  remain  in  love  with 
sin.  God's  spirit  convicted  him  of  sin 
and  killed  him  to  the  love  of  it.  He 
was  directed  to  the  true  church,  given 
a  love  for  the  Primitive  or  Old  School 
Baptist  and  united  with  them  in  1897 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  R.  A. 
Biggs.  He  was  soon  set  apart  to  the 
gospel  ministry  and  is  a  faithful  and 
able  minister  of  the  New  Testament 
His  experience  and  call  to  the  minis- 
try is  very  interesting  reading,  it  is 
printed  in  pamphlet  form  by  Elder  J. 
G.  Webb  of  Tioga,  Texas. 


RICHARDSON. 


Richardson,  Elder  J.  W.,  of  Peters- 
burg, Ind.,  was  born  June  24,  1829, 
professed      a   hope     in    Christ   in    his 


twenty-eighth  year  and  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  one  year  later, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Elihu 
Halcombe.  A  few  years  after  this  he 
was  licensed  and  in  1872  was  ordained 
to  the  full  functions  of  the  gospel 
ministry,  and  has  since  had  the  care 
of  four  churches  almost  continually. 
His  labors  have  chiefly  been  confined 
to  his  native  county,  Pike,  and  coun- 
ties adjoining.  He  has  had  the  care 
of  his  home  church  thirty-seven  years. 
When  he  became  its  pastor  its  mem- 
bership numbered  less  than  a  dozen, 
it  now  numbers  three  hundred  and 
fifteen.  Up  to  the  time  the  editor  ob- 
tained data  for  this  notice — 1907 — 
Elder  Richardson  had  married  1,022 
couples,  preached  912  funerals,  and 
baptized  2,204  persons.  He  has,  out- 
side of  his  ministerial  duties  which 
have  been  many — served  his  county 
as  justice  of  the  peace  eight  years, 
clerk  of  circuit  court  four  years,  coun- 
ty treasurer  four  years  and  two  ses- 
sions in  the  state  legislature.  He 
writes  me,  "I  have  been  a  very  busy 
man  all  my  life."  And  indeed  his  rec- 
ord proves  it.  He  also  writes,  "When 
I  joined  the  old  church  I  thought  it 
the  nearest  right  of  any  church  on 
earth,  and  I  think  so  yet,  and  hence 
have  done  all  I  could  to  build  it  up, 
and  expect  to  continue  to  do  so  as 
long  as  I  have  breath  in  my  body." 
Elder  Richardson  is  nearly  eighty 
years  old  but  has  lost  none  of  his 
zeal  for  the  cause  of  truth,  makes  it 
a  point  never  to  disappoint  a  congre- 
gation, has  never  asked  for  money  for 
his  preaching  and  has  not  sought  to 
be  what  is  called  a  great  preacher.  He 
is  greatly  loved  by  his  churches  and 
highly  esteemed  by  the  citizens  of  his 
county. 


EDWARD    RIENER. 

Riener,  Elder  Edward,  of  Georgia. 
This  faithful  minister  was  born  March 
6,  1805,  in  Montgomery  County  and 
died  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-nine. 
He  was  twice  married,  first  to  Miss 
Bettie  Meeks,  and  after  her  death  to 
Miss  Emily  Bower  and  was  the  father 
of  fourteen  children;  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  called  Prov- 
idence in  Emmanuel  County  in  his 
thirty-fifth  year,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Archibald  Odom.  A  few  years 
after  this  he  was  ordained  by  Elders 
A.  Odom  and  William  Norris  and  con- 
tinued in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his 
duty  as  a  minister  of  the  gospel  for 
more   than  fifty  years.   As   a  man   he 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


231 


was  the  soul  of  honor;  as  a  citizen, 
law-abiding;  as  a  husband,  faithful; 
as  a  father,  indulgent;  and  as  a  minis- 
ter, exemplary.  He  died  as  he  had 
lived,  trusting  alone  in  God's  mercy 
for  salvation  and  praising  Him  for 
His  goodness.  His  son,  Elder  W.  W. 
Riener,  is  following  in  the  footsteps 
of  his  father. 


W.   R.   RIGGS. 

Riggs,  Elder  W.  R.,  of  Crab  Or- 
chard, Mo.,  "was  born  April  2,  1852. 
and  united  with  New  Garden  Church, 
Ray  County,  Mo.,  in  1873,  where  his 
membership  now  is.  He  has  been 
preaching  since  18S4,  and  knows  noth- 
ing among  the  churches  save  Jesus 
and  Him  crucified.  "From  Elder  Cash's 
book  of  1896.  Further  information 
was  not  obtainable. 


W.  S.  RIGGSBY. 

Ribgsgy,  Elder  W.  S.,  of  Mansfield, 
Mo.  From  information  of  1904  date  it 
is  learned  that  Elder  Riggsby  was 
moderator  of  the  Pine  Forest  Associa- 
tion of  Primitive  Baptists  and  pastor 
of  churches  within  the  bounds  of  this 
association. 


EPHRIAM     RITTENHOUSE. 

Rittenhouse,  Elder  Ephriam,  of  Del- 
aware, was  born  in  the  state  of 
New     Jersey,      December      17,      1819. 


He  united  with  the  church  in 
August,  1847,  and  began  his  pub- 
lic work,  both  of  speaking  and  of 
writing,  almost  immediately  after- 
ward. He  was  soon  licensed  to  preach, 
and  began  visiting  different  churches. 
He  was  ordained  in  April,  185G.  His 
first  call  came  from  the  church  in 
Wilmington,  Delaware,  and  he  began 
serving  them,  regularly  in  April  of 
1858.  During  that  year  three  othei 
churches  in  the  same  state  united  in 
the  call  and  in  March,  1859,  he  re- 
moved to  Delaware,  to  the  same  house 
where  he  died  more  than  forty  years 
afterward.  He  was  never  a  strong, 
healthy  man,  but  perhaps  very  few  of 
our  ministers  have  gone  through  more 
hardships  in  serving  the  churches  than 
he  did.  One  church  was  located  thirty 
miles  away,  and  anoter  was  fifty  miles 
from  his  home,  and  for  a  number  of 
years  he  met  his  appointments  with 
them,  usually,  by  means  of  a  team, 
driving  the  entire  distance  once  each 
month,  through  all  kinds  of  weather. 
He  was  also  pastor  for  some 
years  of  two  churches  in  the  Sal- 
isbury Association,  which  were  near- 
ly one  hundred  miles  from  his 
home   but     he   visited     them   once   a 


EPHRIAM    RITTENHOUSE 

month.  His  field  of  labor  was  mainly 
in  the  states  of  Delaware  and  Mary- 
land. Although  he  served  so  many 
churches,  the  members  were  mainly 
poor,  and  he  always  found  it  neces- 
sary to  labor  with  his  hands,  energet- 
ically, to  provide  for  his  family.  Was 
always  busy  and  all  time  not  other- 
wise taken  up  was  spent  in  writing. 
He  had  a  very  large  private  corres- 
pondence besides  writing  a  great  numr 
ber  of  letters  for  publication  on  al- 
most  every     subject     that     could   be 


232 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


thought  of.  Very  few  of  our  ministers 
have  written  so  much  as  he  did.  Be- 
ginning with  letters  to  the  Signs  of 
The  Times  in  1847,  he  continued  to 
write  somewhat  regularly  for  it  for 
over  fifty  years,  and  since  1880  he 
wrote  many  letters  for  three  ether 
publications,  and  this  work  only  ended 
when  he  was  obliged  to  lay  aside  his 
pen.  When  his  last  published  letter 
appeared  his  sight  was  so  far  gone 
that  he  was  unable  to  read  it.  A  broth- 
er minister  once  said  to  him  that 
when  his  pen  was  laid  by  a  loss  would 
be  felt  in  the  way  of  private  corres- 
pondence that  could  never  be  made 
up  to  those  within  its  circle;  for  he 
possessed  a  special  gift  in  the  manner 
of  writing  comforting,  encouraging 
letters,  and  of  speaking  the  "word  in 
season"  to  those  who  were  "inquiring 
the  way."  Few  such  gifts  have  been 
bestowed  on  the  church,  and  in  this 
respect  perhaps  no  one  can  fully  take 
his  place  in  this  generation.  After  his 
wife's  death,  in  1885,  he  had  but  little 
interest  in  anything  outside  of  the 
churches,  As  old  age  came  on  the 
hardships  of  life  bore  heavily  on  him, 
and  I  think  if  he  had  known  when  the 
end  was  near,  he  would  have  said 
that  he  was  glad  to  have  it  so.  An 
entire  generation  grew  up  under  his 
ministry.  He  lived  to  see  both  the 
children  and  the  grandchildren  take 
the  place  of  the  fathers.  He  left  seven 
children,  all  of  them  members  of  the 
church  with  him.  He  died  October  22, 
1902,  and  on  the  stone  which  marks 
his  resting  place  are  the  following 
appropriate  words:  "I  have  fought  a 
good  fight;  I  have  finished  my  course; 
I  have  kept  the  faith."  Elder  Ritten- 
house  was  regarded  as  one  of  our 
most  able  ministers,  one  whose 
preaching  was  always  interesting  and 
instructive,  a  man  of  good  judgment 
and  wise  counsel. 


GEO.   D.   ROBERSON. 


Roberson,  Elder  Geo.  D.,  of  Rober- 
sonville,  N.  C,  was  bora  November 
13,  1843,  and  is  of  Scotch  descent.  Be- 
ing the  first  born  of  twelve  children 
and  raised  on  a  farm  he  grew  •  up  at 
hard  labor  without  much  education 
and  imbibed,  from  his  father,  the  idea 
of  self  support  and  living  at  home, 
and  during  his  life  has  followed  farm- 
ing and  merchandising  when  not  en- 
gaged in  the  work  of  the  ministry- 
Though,  as  a  boy,  he  had  serious  im- 
pression of  death  and  eternity,  yet  not 


until  he  had,  at  the  age  of  eighteen, 
entered  the  Southern  army  in  '62 
and  realized  the  providential  care  of 
God  amid  the  clash  of  arms  and  the 
carnage  of  death,  was  he  brought 
down  in  feeling  to  pray  for  God's  con- 
tinued mercy  and  care,  and  on  his  re- 
turn home  from  the  war  he  felt  that 
though  he  was  saved  from  death  he 
was  not  saved  from  hell.  So  he  tried 
to  prepare  himself  for  heaven, — prom- 
ised the  Lord  to  do  better  and  made 
promises  only  to  break  them.  But  God 
who  brought  him  to  see  his  needs 
supplied  them  in  Jesus  and  gave  him 
faith  to  look  and  be  healded,  and  in 
1869  he  united     with     the     Primitive 


GEO.    D.   ROBERSON 

Baptist  at  Spring  Green  Church,  Mar- 
tin County,  N.  C.,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  C.  B.  Hassell.  Soon  he  was  im- 
pressed with  the  duty  of  preaching, 
and  for  four  years  was  disobedient 
and  greatly  tried.  He  felt  he  could  not 
preach — that  he  was  committing  a 
great  sin — that  if  it  was  the  Lord's 
work  he  was  committing  a  sin  in  not 
complying,  and  if  it  was  not,  he  was 
committing  a  sin  in  thinking  about  it. 
But  the  Lord  made  him  willing  and 
opened  the  way,  and  he  was  ordained 
in  1880  by  Elders  A.  N.  Hall,  R.  H. 
Harris  and  Levi  Rogerson.  Elder 
Roberson  is  now  serving  three 
churches,  has  traveled  and  preached 
in  eight  states  and  has  been  favorably 
received.  He  is  an  entertaining  speak- 
er, is  especially  gifted  in  dissecting 
and  explaining  a  subject  and  applying 
the  literal  truths  of  Scripture  to  the 
experience  of  Gods  children  and  thus 
bringing  water  from  the  rock.  Calm, 
deliberate  and  lucid  in  style,  he  is  in- 
deed a  teacher  in  Israel  sent  of  God 
and  the  Lord  has  blessed  his  labors. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


233 


THOMAS    L.   ROBERTSON. 

Robertson,  Elder  Thomas  L.,  of 
Floyd,  Va.,  was  born  in  Bedford 
County,  Va.,  September  22,  182G. 
When  a  young  man  he  removed  to 
Floyd  County,  where,  in  1849,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Pernetta  Underwood.  He 
professed  a  hope  in  Christ  in  1859, 
and  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  at  Pine  Creek  Floyd  County, 
Va.  In  18G1  he  began  to  exercise  a 
gift  in  the  ministry,  and  in  18G3  was 
set  apart  by  ordination  to  the  full 
functions  of  the  gospel.  He  was  called 
to  the  pastorate  of  churches  and  serv- 
ed in  that  capacity  about  forty  years, 
from  which  he  has  for  some  years 
been  retired  because  of  infirmities 
and  old  age.  Elder  Robertson's  ser- 
vices have  been  confined  to  the 
churches  locally,  and  in  his  active 
days  he  was  faithful  in  attendance 
and  his  labors  have  been  favored 
with  seals  to  his  ministry.  His  life 
and  character  have  been  wholesome 
for  the  cause  and  tending  towards 
the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the 
churches  of  his  labors.  In  his  declin- 
ing years  he  enjoys  the  satisfaction  of 
quiet  repose  in  the  fellowship  of  his 
brethren  and  the  confidence  of  the 
people,  in  which  his  faithful  compan- 
ion fully  and  worthily  shares.  During 
his  ministry  he  has  baptized  over  one 
hundred  and  married  over  five  hun- 
dred couples. 

HARVEY   ROGERS. 

Rogers,  Eider  Harvey.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  in  New  Hav- 
en, Conn.,  in  1809,  and  died  in  Canaan, 
Wayne  County,  Penn.,  October  14, 
1902,  in  his  ninety-third  year.  In  1820 
he  with  his  father's  family  moved  to 
Wayne  County,  Penn.,  and  March  18, 
1834,  he  received  a  good  hope  in 
Christ,  and  joined  the  Abington  Old 
School  Baptist  Church.  In  November 
of  the  same  year  he  commenced  to 
preach  and  was  soon  ordained  and 
continued  faithful  till  ill  health  pre- 
vented. A  number  of  years  before  he 
died  he  was  afflicted  with  rheumatism 
and  had  to  go  en  crutches.  He  had  a 
good  memory  and  perhaps  there  were 
few  that  knew  the  Bible  better  than 
he.  He  was  firm  in  his  belief,  contend- 
ing earnestly  for  the  faith  once  deliv- 
ered to  the  saints.  For  fifty  years  his 
preaching  was  salvation  by  grace,  not 
of  the  works  of  men's  inventions.  He 
stood  firm  in  all  the  troubles  and  di- 
visions that  have  taken  place  in  the 
churches. 


J.   C.   ROGERS. 

Rogers,  Elder  J.  C.,  was  born  July 
15,  1844,  and  died  at  the  home  of  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Clara  Underwood, 
near  Quitman,  Ga.,  June  20,  1893.  He 
was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
Primitive  Baptists  in  1S78,  and  was 
ordained  a  deacon  in  1879,  in  which 
position  he  served  faithfully  and 
well;  but  soon  he  began  to  exercise 
in  public,  and  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in  1883.  From 
that  time  until  his  death,  his  time 
was  mostly  spent  among  his  brethren, 
preaching  Jesus  and  exhorting  the 
saints  to  love  and  good  works.  His 
faithful  service  bore  much  fruit.  His 
churches  were  usually  peaceful, 
healthy  and  prosperous.  Our  people 
knew  his  worth,  and  I  hope  and  be- 
lieve appreciated  his  labors,  and  they 
now  feel  that  in  his  death  they  have 
lost  a  true  and  tried  friend — one  who 
was  always  in  touch  with  all  their  sor- 
rows, and  who  could  always  offer  a 
word  of  comfort  and  cheer.  When  his 
beloved  wife  was  taken  from  him, 
December,  1892,  he  plainly  manifested 
that  every  vestige  of  earthly  comfort 
was  gone  from  him  forever,  and  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  follow  her  in 
death.  Having  no  small  children,  he 
closed  the  doors  of  his  pleasant  home 
at  Calhoun,  Ga.,  and  following  his  im- 
pressions traveled  from  church  to 
church  almost  continually  until  his 
death.  During  his  last  illness,  and 
even  while  his  mind  was  in  a  semi- 
conscious state,  he  would  talk  and 
preach  about  Jesus  and  His  love. 


MATTHEW   ROGERS. 

Rogers,    Elder   Matthew    (1763-1843), 

of  Kentucky,  was  well  known  to  the 
Baptists  in  his  day  as  a  gifted  preach- 
er, for  upwards  of  thirty  years,  during 
which  time  he  maintained  a  high 
standing  among  them  as  an  honest 
and  upright  man  and  a  Christian.  His 
hope  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  remain- 
ed firm  and  unshaken  to  the  last. 


LEVI    ROGERSON. 

Rogerson,  Elder  Levi  (1819-1894),  of 
North  Carolina,  was  born  in  Martin 
County,  N.  C.,  grew  up  to  manhood 
without  any  advantages  of  an  educa- 
tion— going  to  school  but  three  days — 
was  wild  and  reckless  and  cared  not 


234 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


for  hell  or  heaven.  But  God  had  a 
work  for  him  to  do.  Afflictions  were 
sent  upon  him.  He  lost  his  eyesight 
and  was  brought  down  very  low.  But 
God  restored  him  and  he  set  about  to 
reform  himself,  and  became  a  Phar- 
isee— trusting  in  his  works.  About  this 
time  he  became  acquainted  with  the 
Methodist  people  and  fellowshipped 
their  view  of  self-righteousness  and 
says  he  would  have  joined  them  but 
for  inconvenience.  But  God  taught 
him  his  exceeding  depravity,  convict- 
ed him  of  sin,  and  then  took  his  feet 
from  its  mirey  clay,  established  his 
goings,  put  a  new  song  in  his  mouth, 
even  praise  to  the  God  of  all  grace, 
He  united  with  Smithwicks  Church, 
1853,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Wm. 
Whitley.  Soon  he  was  deeply  impress- 
ed with  the  duty  of  preaching  Jesus, 
but  on  account  of  being  unable  to 
read  much,  he  felt  that  to  become  a 
minister  was  a  matter  impossible. 
But  he  was  taught  in  the  school  of 
experience,  and  "Whale  College"  and 
by  studying  to  be  approved,  became  a 
workman  that  needed  not  be  ashamed. 
He  was  in  1804  ordained  by  Elders  C. 
B.  Hassell  and  Wm.  B.  Perry  and  to 
the  end  of  his  useful  life  was  a  faith- 
ful pastor  of  churches — preaching 
Jesus  in  demonstration  of  the  spirit 
and  power  of  God. 


JOHN   N.  ROGERSON. 

Rogerson,  Elder  John  N.,  of  Wash- 
ington, Beaufort  County,  N.  C,  was 
born  in  Martin  County,  N.  C,  January 
16,  1850,  convicted  of  sin  and  given  a 
hope  in  Jesus,  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptists  in  1879,  and  was  baptized 


by  Elder  Levi  Rogerson.  In  1884  he 
was  licensed  and  two  years  later  was 
ordained  by  Elders  Levi  Rogerson, 
Henry  Peel  and  J.  L.  Ross.  Elder  Rog- 
erson has  since  had  the  care  of 
churches  and  is  a  noble,  good  man. 
His  labors  have  been  mostly  confined 
to  his  own  churches  by  whom  he  is 
loved  and  highly  esteemed.  The  editor 
regrets  that  data  for  a  more  complete 
sketch  could  not  be  obtained. 


WILLIAM    A.    ROSS. 

Ross,  Elder  William  A.  (1822-1897), 
of  North  Carolina,  was  born  in  Pitt 
County,  N.  C,  united  with  the  church 
at  Great  Swamp,  1849,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Lanier  Griffin;  was 
licensed  to  exercise  his  gift  1851  and 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry  1853,  by  Elders  John  H. 
Daniel  and  Lanier  Griffin.  His  life  was 
one  of  usefulness  to  the  church  and 
the  cause  of  truth.  He  was  able  and 
strong  in  the  doctrine  of  the  grace  of 
God  and  felt  that  he  was  set  for  the 
defense  of  the  gospel  and  shunned  not 
to  declare  all  the  counsel  of  God,  and, 
no  doubt  many  thought  used  the 
sword  of  the  spirit  unmercifully.  He 
was  very  active  as  a  minister  and 
traveled  much  abroad,  especially  keep- 
ing up  the  correspondence  between 
his  own  Association  and  Union  meet- 
ings and  those  of  others;  also  labor- 
ing extensively  among  the  churches. 
He  was  tender  and  devotional  in  feel- 
ing and  greatly  enjoyed  good  preach- 
ing by  others.  The  Lord  made  him  an 
able  minister  of  the  New  Testament 
and  he  was  a  faithful  servant  until 
the  end. 


L.    SYLVESTER    ROSS. 

Ross,  Elder  L.  Sylvester,  of  North 
Carolina,  was  born  in  Beaufort  Coun- 
ty, April  15,  1833.  He  was  the  young- 
est of  five  children.  His  father  was 
Elder  Lemuel  Ross  who  was  a  faithful 
minister  and  pastor  of/  several 
churches.  His  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Nancy  Bowen,  the  daughter  of 
Elder  John  Boven.  He  was  brought  to 
see  his  sinful  and  lost  condition  when 
about  the  age  of  sixteen  and  his  won- 
derful experience  has  been  an  evi- 
dence to  him  of  his  interest  in 
Jesus  and  a  comfort  to  others.  He 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
1882,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Al- 
bert Cartwright.  Four  years   later  he 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


235 


was  ordained  and  continued  to  preach 
until  his  death,  serving  Beulah  and 
South  Mattamuskeet  churches  as  pas- 
tor for  many  years,  and  was  an  able, 
faithful  minister.  He  died  in  1903. 


J.  C.   ROSS. 

Ross,  Elder  J.  C.,  of  Greenfield, 
Tenn.,  was  born  in  Hickman  County, 
Ky.,  January  13,  18G2.  His  parents 
were  devoted  members  of  the  Old 
School  Baptist  Church  and  while  they 
taught  him  to  do  right  they  could  not 
teach  him  to  hate  wrong.  But  God  be- 
came his  teacher  also  and  killed  him 
to  the  love  of  sin,  convicted  him  of 
his  lost  and  ruined  condition  and  in 
August,  1883,  gave  him  a  sweet  hope 
in  Jesus.  He  did  not  tarry  but  went 
home  to  his  friends  at  Rock  Spring 
Church,  Fulton  County,  Ky.,  Septem- 
ber, 1883,  was  received  and  baptized 
by  Eider  K.  M.  Wyatt.  At  the  time  he 
received  a  hope  in  the  Saviour  he  was 
impressed  to  preach  Him  to  others. 
This  desire  never  left  him  but  a  feel- 
ing sense  of  his  inability  was  also  con- 
tinually with  him  and  he  was  not  or- 
dained until  September,  1895;  Elders 
K.  M.  Wyatt,  R.  H.  Boaz,  J.  H.  Yates, 
R.  T.  Helm  and  W.  I.  Cornell  consti- 
tuting the  presbytery,  since  which 
time  Elder  Ross  has  had  the  care  of 
from  two  to  four  churches.  His  ser- 
vices have  been  blessed  of  the  Lord 
and  he  feels  encouraged  to  press  on 
in  the  strength  of  Him  who  has  called 
him  to  the  work.  Feeling  his  attention 
has  been  required  among  the  churches 
of  his  care  he  has  not  traveled  much 
among  other  churches.  Elder  Ross  is 
an  humble  and  faithful  minister  and 
desires  to  contend  alone  for  the  doc- 
trine of  God  our  Saviour  and  the  prac- 
tice of  the  apostolic  church. 


ROBERT    ROWE. 


Rowe,  Elder  Robert  (1833-1896), 
This  dear  brother  and  fatihful  servant 
of  God,  was  born  near  Liverpool,  Eng., 
and  died  at  his  home  in  Andrew  Coun- 
ty, near  Savannah,  Mo.  His  parents 
moved  to  Canada  when  he  was  six 
years  of  age,  and  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen years  he  moved  to  the  state  of 
Wisconsin.  He  moved  to  Missouri  at 
the  age  of  23  years,  obtained  a  hope 
in  Christ  at  the  age  of  ten,  joined  the 
First  Nodaway  Church,  of  the  Noda- 
way  Association  of  Primitive  Baptists 
of  Missouri,  many  years  ago  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Elijah  Moore.  He 
served  the  church  as  deacon  for  a 
number  of  years,  was  liberated  to  talk 
in  public  in  1882,,  and  ordained  in  1888. 
The  Bible  was  his  text  book  and  few 
men  understood  its  teachings  better 
than  he.  As  a  minister  he  had  a  rare 
and  happy  gift  and  his  preaching 
was  highly  appreciated  by  his  breth- 
ren. He  was  faithful  and  zealous  and 
devoted  his  time  and  talent  as  much 
as  was  possible  to  the  work  of  his 
ministry.  He  was  of  a  meek  anu  quiet 
spirit,  a  kind  and  obliging  neighbor. 
As  a  citizen  he  was  faithful,  patriotic 
and  law  abiding,  as  a  husband  he  was 
affectionate  and  devoted,  and  as  a 
father  he  was  kind  and  indulgent.  He 
bore  his  affliction  with  great  patience, 
with  a  desire  to  be  reconciled  to  the 
will  of  God.  He  calmly  and  affection- 
ately made  every  needful  disposition 
of  his  earthly  estate  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  his  family,  and  died  in  the 
triumph  of  a  good  hope,  through 
grace,  of  a  better  life. 


236 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


JOHN    ROWE. 

Rowe,  Elder  John  (1852-1899),  ol 
North  Carolina,  eldest  son  of  John  T. 
and  Penlope  Rowe,  was  born  in  Beau- 
fort County,  N.  C.  His  parents  were 
members  and  his  father  a  deacon  in 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  and  he 
early  in  life,  manifested  love  for  Bap- 
tist ministers,  who  were  frequently  at 
his  father's  house.  He  always  held  his 
parents  in  high  esteem,  and  though  he 
was  wild  and  mischievous  with  other 
boys,  they  learned  that  they  could 
place  the  most  implicit  confidence  in 
what  he  told  them — that  same  love 
for  truth  that  was  marked  in  his 
character  through  life  having  been 
implanted  in  him  at  that  early  age, 
As  soon  as  he  could  read,  the  Bible 
was  his  favorite  book,  and  he  read  it 
much  with  close  attention,  so  that  it 
was  very  useful  to  him  in  after  life. 
He  was  convicted  of  sin  and  converted 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is 
in  Christ  Jesus  in  early  youth,  joined 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in 
1869,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  I. 
Jones.  The  church,  seeing  evidences 
of  his  ministerial  gift,  gave  him  li- 
cense to  preach  in  1873,  and  in  1875  he 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry  by  Elders  A.  Jones  and  B. 
Whitford.  In  1877,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Nancy  L.  Hardy,  and  as  a  min- 
ister's wife  she  had  few  equals.  He 
was  early  called  on  to  serve  churches 
in  pastoral  relationship  and  different 
churches  were  added  to  the  number 
of  his  charges  until  at  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  pastor  of  seven 
churches — one  in  the  Kekukee,  one 
in  the  White  Oak  and  five  in  the  Con- 
tentnea  Associations.  Two  of  those 
churches   were    so    situated    as   to   re- 


quire nearly  one  hundred  miles  travel 
in  a  sail  boat  at  each  visit.  Some  of 
the  others  were  long  distances  from 
him,  so  that  it  was  necessary  for 
much  of  his  time  to  be  spent  travel- 
ing to  and  from  those  churches.  All 
those  churches  will  certify  to  his  great 
faithfulness.  Elder  Rowe  was  not  only 
one  of  the  most  gifted  ministers  of 
his  state  but  was  also  a  man  of  in- 
fluence as  a  citizen.  He  served  in  the 
legislature  of  his  state  with  distinc- 
tion during  the  sessions  of  1893  and 
'94,  and  in  all  the  relations  of  life 
was  a  true  man — one  of  nature's  no- 
blemen. 


JOSHUA    T.    ROWE. 

Rowe,  Elder  Joshua  T.,  of  Balti- 
more, Md.,  was  born  April  12,  1858,  in 
Beaufort  County,  N.  C,  convicted  of 
sin  in  his  seventeenth  year  and  given 
a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  as  his  personal 
saviour.  He  was  also  made  to  love  the 
Primitive  Baptists  as  he  had  never 
done  before,  though  he  was  raised  by 
Baptist  parents,  and  in  1876  he  united 
with  the  Sandy  Grove  Church  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Bryan  Whitford. 
The  sweet  peace  of  mind  he  received 
at  his  baptism  was,  within  a  month 
thereafter,  disturbed  by  impressions 
to  preach.  For  sometime  he  fought 
against  this  duty  and  suffered  great 
anguish  of  mind,  but  he  was  encour- 
aged by  Elders  John  Rowe  and  L.  H. 
Hardy  to  bear  the  cross  and  sustained 
by  God's  grace,  and  was  ordained  to 
gospel  work  in  1882  by  Elders  N.  H. 
Harrison  and  J.  E.  Adams.  Elder 
Rowe  has  since  had  the  care  of 
churches  continuously  and  has  travel- 
ed and  preached  among  the  churches 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


237 


in  eastern  North  Carolina,  Delaware, 
Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey  and  New 
York.  He  is  now  serving  the  Ehenezer 
Church  in  Baltimore  City,  the  Shiloh 
Church  in  Washington,  D.  C,  and  the 
Black  Rock  Church  in  Baltimore 
County,  Md.  The  latter  named  is  of  his 
toric  interest,  it  being  the  church  in 
which  the  Baptists  met  in  1832  and 
declared  non-fellowship  for  the  many 
innovations  in  doctrine  and  practice 
brought  in  by  the  Arminian  element 
of  the  denomination.  Here  the  lines 
were  tightly  drawn  and  the  religious 
body,  until  that  time,  bearing  the 
name  of  Baptist,  became  known  as 
New  School  and  Old  School  Baptists. 
Elder  Rowe  is  an  able  minister,  a 
lover  of  peace,  and  desires  to  feed  the 
flock  of  God  with  the  sincere  milk  of 
the  word, — not  to  strive  about  words 
that  genders  strife  but  to  "speak  that 
we  do  know  and  testify  that  we  have 
seen."  He  feels  that  the  Baptists, 
generally,  among  whom  he  has  labor- 
ed are  better  to  him  than  he  deserves 
and  desires  to  serve  them  better. 


J.  J.    ROWLAND. 

Rowland,  Elder  J.  J.,  of  Santa  Fe, 
Kan.,  "was  born  in  Morgan  County, 
111.,  April  14,  182G.  He  joined  Cedar 
Creek  Church,  Wapello  County,  Iowa, 
in  May,  1861,  and  was  ordained  in 
June,  1875.  He  has  served  actively  as 
pastor  of  churches  for  twenty-one 
years,  but  has  charge  of  but  one 
church  at   this   time,  there  being  but 


tew  Baptists  near  his  home."  This 
sketch  of  Elder  Rowland  is  from  Eld- 
er Cash's  book  of  1896,  and  later  in- 
formation could  not  be  secured. 


STEPHEN     ROWLAND. 

Rawland,  Elder  Stephen,  who  died 
many  years  ago,  was  an  able  and 
faithful  minister  of  the  Old  School 
Baptist  Church  and  his  memory  is 
cherished  in  the  hearts,  and  his  name 
often  on  tne  lips  of  many  now  living 
in  Arkansas.  Elder  Rowland  moved 
from  Mississippi  to  Arkansas,  and 
spent  most  of  his  useful  life  in  the 
latter  state  where  his  labors  were 
blessed  to  the  comfort  and  upbuilding 
of  Zibn's  City. 


MERIDY    L.    ROY. 

Roy,  Elder  Meridy  L.,  was  born 
September  IS,  1805,  in  South  Carolina. 
His  father  moved  to  Dickson  County, 
Tenn.,  when  he  was  about  seven  years 
of  age  ,and  raised  him  there.  He  was 
married  to  Susan  Gentry,  January  10, 
1833.  He  embraced  religion  at  the  age 
of  twenty  years,  but  in  a  way  that  he 
was  not  satisfied.  He  went  on  in  this 
way  for  some  years.  He  attended  an 
association,  and  said  he  prayed  during 
the  entire  meeting  for  a  brighter  evi- 
dence, and  about  the  close  of  the 
meeting  he  became  satisfied.  This  oc- 
curred September  21,  1835.  On  his 
way  home  he  said  the  impression  was 
made  in  him  to  preach.  He  joined  the 
church  in  1837,  and  began  to  preach 
in  the  Spring  of  1838,  and  continued 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  May  1, 
1885 — a  period  of  forty-seven  years. 
During  this  long  period  of  time  he  re- 
mained firm  and  steadfast  in  the  faith 
and  believed  the  Bible  taught.  He 
earnestly  contended  for  election  pre- 
destination and  salvation  by  grace, 
and  never  preached  or  advocated  any- 
thing that  ever  caused  the  least  trou- 
ble or  discord  in  the  church.  He  did 
not  only  stand  high  in  the  esteem  of 
his  brethren,  but  in  the  language  of 
Paul,  had  "a  good  report  of  them 
that  are  without." 


WILLIAM    RUPARD. 

Rupard,  Elder  William  (1825-1904), 
of  Kentucky.  He  lived  and  died  in  a 
few  miles  of  where  he  was  born.  His 


238 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


parents  were  strict  members  of  the 
Old  Baptist  Church  and  were  loved 
and  respected  by  all  who  knew  them. 
He  received  such  education  as  the 
common  schools  afforded  at  that  time, 
was  given  a  hope  in  his  sixteenth 
year  and  joined  the  Old  Baptist 
Church  at  Goshen  in  1842,  and  was 
baptized  by  Thos.  Boone.  The  burden 
of  the  ministry  was  laid  on  him  soon 
after  he  became  a  member  of  the 
church.  After  exercising  his  gift  some 
in  public  service  he  was  licensed  and 
finally  ordained  in  1853.   At  the  time 


WILLIAM    RUPARD 

of  his  death  he  was  pastor  of  Goshen, 
Lulbegrud,  Liberty  and  Cane  Spring 
churches.  Some  of  them  he  served 
nearly  fifty  years.  He  was  moderator 
of  North  District  Association  for 
forty-four  years  and  was  a  true  and 
faithful  servant  of  God  at  home  and 
abroad,  suffering  many  trials  and  pri- 
vations. He  was  an  orator,  gifted  as 
an  expounder  of  the  Scriptures,  heart- 
searching  as  a  minister,  a  feeder  of 
the  sheep  and  lambs  of  God.  He  was 
a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  the 
Bible  and  taught  God's  children  to  ob- 
serve all  things  commanded  in  His 
Word.  The  high  esteem  in  which  he 
was  held  was  attested  by  the  large 
gathering  of  brethren  and  sisters  and 


friends  at  his  funeral.  He  died  as  he 
had  lived,  trusting  alone  in  Jesus  for 

salvation.  • 

A.   H.   RUPARD. 

Rupard,  Elder  A,  H.,  of  Hedges, 
Ky.,  is  the  faithful  pastor  of  Liberty 
Church  and  other  churches  of  this 
section  of  Kentucky,  and  is  also  the 
moderator  of  the  North  District  Asso- 
ciation of  Old  Baptists.  The  editor 
regrets  that  further  information 
could  not  be  secured. 


W.   R.  RUSHTON. 

Rushton,  Elder  W.  R.,  of  Buffalo, 
Tenn.,  is  an  able  minister  of  the  New 
Testament,  a  faithful  pastor  of 
churches,  and  the  beloved  moderator 
of  the  W^st  Tennessee  Association. 


W.  P.  RUSSELL. 

Russell,  Eldsr  W.  P.,  of  LaFayette, 
Tenn.,  was  born  in  Macon  County, 
August  23,  1868,  raised  by  good,  pious 
parents  but  who  were  unable  to  teach 
him  to  love  good  and  hate  evil.  As  a 
boy  he  was  thoughtless  and  rude, 
seeking  only  the  pleasures  of  the 
world.  But  one  day  when  he  was  in 
his  seventeenth  year  God's  spirit  con- 
victed him  of  sin  and  enabled  him  to 
view  himself  as  a  poor  lost  sinner; 
and  after  much  sorrow  of  soul  he  was 
given  a  hope  in  Jesus  and  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Miles  F.  West.  The  im- 
pression to  tell  others  about  the 
wonderful  Saviour  he  had  found  soon 
began  to  disturb  him  for  he  felt  un- 
qualified in  many  ways  to  preach  the 
glorious  gospel.  Yet  he  could  not  rid 
himself  of  the  impression,  or  hide  his 
gift  from  the  church,  and  was  soon 
licensed,  and  in  1905,  was  ordained  to 
the  gospel  ministry  by  Elders  W.  D. 
Agee,  L.  F.  Evans  and  J.  B.  White.  He 
has  since  had  the  care  of  churches 
and  is  now  serving  Cedar  Creek, 
Friendship  and  Mt.  View.  Elder  Rus- 
sell has  had  one  or  two  public  debates 
and  wishes  to  contend  for  and  preach 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 


W.    W.    SAIWMONS. 

Sammons,  Elder  W,  W.  (1827-1899). 
was  born  in  Hardaman  County,  Tenn., 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  about  1855,  and  was  ordained 


to  the  gospel  ministry  five  years  later 
and  until  the  end  of  his  life  was  a 
faithful  under-shepherd.  His  life  was 
a  very  exemplary  one,  his  manner 
was  always  gentlemanly,  his  conver- 
sation chaste  and  refined,  his  dealing 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


239 


with  men  open  and  fair  and  he  nest. 
He  manifested  a  desire  to  suffer 
wrong  rather  than  do  wrong,  and  was 
so  sympathetic  in  nature  that  he 
could  hardly  refuse  any  favor  asked 
of  him  and  was  in  hundreds  of  in- 
stances taken  advantage  of.  During 
his  life  he  paid  over  fifteen  thousand 
dollars  security  money  alone.  At  the 
close  of  the  Civil  war  he  had  1,500 
hushels  of  corn  and  refused  to  sell  it 
for  the  high  price  of  seven  to  ten  dol- 
lars a  barrel  but  would  reply,  "You 
can  get  it  somewhere  else  if  you  have 
the  money, — mine  is  for  my  poor 
neighbors  and  helpless  widows  who 
have  no  money."  And  to  them  he 
would  sell  on  credit  at  a  low  price. 
This  is  but  one  instance  of  his  love, 
consideration  and  sympathy  for  the 
pcor.  Of  course  it  is  not  expected  that 
sucn  a  man  would  die  rich,  and  this 
was  the  case  with  him,  though  he 
never  suffered  for  needful  things  and 
was  rich  in  faith.  As  a  minister  he 
was  highly  esteemed,  was  a  good  dis- 
ciplinarian and  excellent  peace-maker 
— the  fruits  of  his  labors  still  being 
realized  both  in  Tennessee  and  Miss- 
issippi. Before  his  death  he  requested 
that  ihe  words  "A  sinner  saved  by 
grace"  be  inscribed  on  his  tombstone. 
His  life  was  useful — his  death  tri- 
umphant. 


ALLEN   SAMMONS 

Sammons,  Elder  Allen  of  Hardiman 
County,  Tenn.,  was  a  gifted  preacher 
in  his  day.  He  died  about  fifty  years 
ago  but  is  remembered  by  people  now 
living  and  who  heard  him  as  a  min- 
ister. One  sister  of  Stewart  County, 
Tenn.  writes  the  editor  of  his  gift  as 
a  minister,  but  no  detail  statement  of 
his  labors  can  be  obtained.  Hence  this 
brief  sketch. 


CLARK    SAMMONS. 

Sammons,  Elder  Clark,  of  Tennes- 
see, the  grandson  of  the  late  Elder 
Allen  Sammons,  a  noted  preacher, 
was  born  April  17,  1861,  convicted  of 
sin  in  his  twenty-first  year  of  age 
while  prostrated  on  the  bed  of  afflic- 
tion and  for  two  years  carried  in  his 
heart  the  condemning  sentence  of 
God's  holy  law.  But  on  the  second  day 
of  July,  1882,  he  was  given  a  sweet 
hope  in  Jesus,  united  with  the  church 
in  1889,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
W.  W.  Sammon.  He  was  soon  impress- 
ed with  the  duty  of  preaching  Jesus 


to  others,  the  church  recognized  his 
gift  and  he  was  ordained  August, 
1894,  by  Elders  W.  W.  Sammon,  J.  A. 
Sammons  and  D.  G.  Cambers,  and  has 
since  been  serving  churches.  He  is  at 
present  pastor  of  Mt.  Tabor  church  in 
Hardiman    County,      Tenn.,      and    has 


CLARK  SAMMONS 

baptized  a  goodly  number  into  the  fel- 
lowship of  the  church.  His  traveling 
among  the  churches  has  been  mostly 
confined  to  his  native  state.  In  1889 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Minnie  Lee 
Neely.  Seven  children — six  boys  and 
one  girl — have  joined  the  family  circle 
to  bless  the  hearts  of  the  parents. 


W.   L.  SAPPINGTON. 

Sappington,  Elder  W.  L.  (18G3-1908) 
of  Guthrie,  Mo.,  was  born  in  Boone 
County,   united   with   the  New   School 


240 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


or  Missionary  Baptists  in  early  youth 
and  lived  with  them  for  twenty  years. 
But  much  of  this  time  he  felt  that  the 
Primitive  Baptists  were,  more  than 
any  other  denomination,  contending 
for  the  doctrine  and  practices  of  the 
apostolic  church,  and  in  1901  when 
attending  the  Salem  Association  he 
made  a  public  confession  of  his  error 
and  asked  for  a  home  among  the  peo- 
ple who  preached  his  experience  and 
the  doctrine  of  a  finished  salvation  in 
Jesus.  He  was  received,  baptized,  soon 
licensed  to  preach,  and  in  1905  was 
ordained  by  Elders  H.  C.  Hogan,  B. 
F.  Querry  and  Ira  Turner.  He  was 
soon  called  to  the  care  of  churches 
which  he  served  faithfully  until  his 
death.  Elder  Sappington  was  a  man  of 
ability,  energy  and  industry,  a  gifted 
preacher  and  useful  citizen,  and  was 
greatly  loved  by  Primitive  Baptists, 
and  highly  esteemed  as  a  neighbor 
and  citizen  for  his  manly  qualities  and 
sincerity  of  purpose. 


J.    T.    SATTERWHITE. 

Satterwhite,  Elder  J.  T.,  of  Opelika, 
Ala.  This  gifted  and  much  beloved 
minister  was  born  in  Harris  County, 
Ga.,  May  11,  1856.  At  an  early  age  he 
became  very  serious  about  his  sinful 
state — feeling  condemned  before  God, 
and  was  brought  to  see  that  he  was 
a  guilty  sinner  in  His  holy  sight.  Af- 
ter a  few  years  of  perplexity  of  mind 
and  heart  and  at  a  time  when  the 
most  pressed,  and  the  least  expecting 
a  divine  favor,  he  received  peace  with 
God  and  a  love  for  Him  and  His  dear 
people  that  still  abides  with  him.  He 
had  no  religious  training,  though  his 
father  was  a  quiet  and  orderly  mem- 


ber of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church. 
He  joined  the  Missionary  Baptists  and 
in  a  few  months  was  sent  as  a  messen- 
ger to  their  annual  association,  and 
here  he  saw  that  the  works  of  men 
were  more  talked  of  and  depended  up- 
on than  the  works  of  God.  Therefore 
he  became  much  dissatisfied  but  re- 
mained with  them  several  years  and 
began  his  public  exercises  there.  At 
the  age  of  twenty  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Laura  Gamniill  thinking  that  this 
would  settle  him  in  life  and  free  him 
from  the  weight  of  the  ministry  of 
Christ  which  had  been  on  his  mind 
since  his  deliverance.  For  a  short 
while  he  thought  he  had  succeeded 
in  his  desires  but  soon  with  renewed 
force  came  this  "woe  is  me  if  I  preach 
not  the  gospel  of  Christ."  About  this 
time  he  with  his  afflicted  wife  and 
two  small  children  moved  to  Chamb- 
ers County,  Ala.,  near  Mt.  Pisgah 
Church  where  he  lived  a  few  years  in 
rebellion  against  God's  deep  impres- 
sions to  join  the  church  and  stand  in 
His  temple  and  speak  all  the  words 
of  this  life.  Finally  he  joined  Mt.  Pis- 
gah Church,  was  soon,  by  this  church, 
licensed  and  in  1882  was  ordained. 
Elder  Satterwhite  was  soon  called  to 
the  service  of  three  churches,  and 
some  years  later,  when  the  late  Elder 
W.  M  Mitchell  became  very  feeble, 
was  called  as  his  assistant  and  at  his 
death  was  chosen  pastor.  He  is  faith- 
ful to  his  people  and  greatly  loved  by 
them.  They  have  never  fully  support- 
ed him  in  a  temporal  way  though  they 
have  been  continuously  and  liberally 
good  to  him.  During  his  ministry  he 
has  labored  hard  on  the  farm  tc<  bet- 
ter enable  him  to  meet  the  many  ex- 
penses in  public  life,  many  of  which, 
the  members,  generally,  have  no 
knowledge. 


ISAAC   SAWIN. 


Sawin,  Elder  Isaac,  of  Cedar  Falls, 
Iowa.  This  useful  minister  is  a  worthy 
representative  of  a  remarkable  Bap- 
tist family.  His  parents  were  both 
members  of  the  Old  School  order,  had 
a  family  of  thirteen  children,  ten 
growing  to  the  age  of  maturity  and 
all  joining  the  church  of  their  parents 
and,  three  of  the  boys — J.  G.,  P.  W. 
and  the  subject  of  this  sketch — are  to- 
day able  ministers  of  the  new  Testa- 
nient.  Elder  Sawin  was  born  in  Bar- 
tholomew County,  Ind.,  December  15, 
1833,  given  a  hope  in  the  Saviotur, 
united  with  Lewis  Creek  Church  and 
■was  baptized     by  Elder     Asa  B.  Nay 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


241 


January,  1854.  He  was  soon  licensed 
to  preach  and  in  1871  was  ordained  by 
Elders  Thos.  Martin,  Asa  B.  Nay,  G.  S. 
Weaver,  Wlllett  Tyler,  P.  K.  Parr,  P. 
W»  Sawin  and  Harvey  Wright,  and 
has  since  had  the  care  of  churches. 
He  has  also  traveled  and  preached  in 
several  states  and  recently  moved  to 
his  present  location  and  has  care  of 
the  church  in  his  city.  Elder  Sawin  is 


ISAAC    SAWIN 

in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age, 
and  the  fortieth  year  of  his  ministry — 
he  commenced  preaching  in  18G9 — and 
is  strong  in  the  faith  and  able  in  the 
defense  of  the  doctrine  and  practice 
of  God  our  Saviour,  and  desires,  in  his 
preaching,  to  know  nothing  but  Jesus 
and  Him  crucified  and  to  finish  his 
course  with  joy. 


JOHN   G.  SAWIN. 

Sawin,   Elder  John   G,  of     Mattoon, 
111.,   was   born     near     Edinburg,   Ind., 


March  1,  1838.  While  but  a  youth  he 
had  many  thoughts  on  the  subject  of 
his  condition  and  the  requirements 
necessary  to  fit  him  for  heaven.  That 
there  was  a  preliminary  work  for  all 
men  to  do  in  order  to  be  saved  he 
had  nc  doubt  whatever.  He  attended 
and  respected  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  to  which  his  parents  belonged, 
yet,  he  would  never  entertain  the 
idea  for  a  moment  of  identifying  him- 
self with  it.  Such  a  thought  was  abso- 
lutely repulsive  to  him.  The  Old  Bap- 
tists were  old-fashioned  and  lacked 
progressiveness.  Like  most,  if  not  all, 
other  Arminians,  he  fully  expected  by 
his  own  works  of  righteousness,  to, 
sometime,  become  a  bright  and  lead- 
ing light  in  the  religious  world.  But 
there  came  a  time  when  such 
thoughts  and  evil  imaginations  were 
forever  silenced.  The  hand  of  the 
Lord  was  laid  upon  him,  The  light 
shone  out  of  darkness  and  his  sinful 
heart  was  laid  bare.  His  works,  on 
which  he  had  counted  so  much,  be- 
came as  filthy  rags.  The  exceeding 
sinfulness  of  sin  became  more  appar- 
ant  as  the  days  went  by.  The  law 
thundered  his  just  sentence — "The 
soul  that  sins  it  shall  die,"  and  "by 
the  deeds  of  the  law  no  flesh  shall 
be  justified."  All  was  now  plain  and 
convincing.  "If  my  soul  were  sent  to 
hell,  thy  righteous  law  approves  it 
well."  Now  he  could  only  call  upon 
God  to  be  merciful.  And  in  due  time 
Go!d  revealed  himself  as  the  sinner's 
friend — the  chiefest  among  ten  thou- 
sand, set  his  feet  upon  a  rock  and 
put  a  new  song  in  his  mouth  even 
praise  to  His  name,  and  it  became  to 
him  a  precious  privilege  to  be  re- 
ceived into  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church.  In  May,'  1859,  he  was  baptized 
into  the  fellowship  of  the  old  Lewis 
Creek  Church,  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  by 
the  late  Elder  J.  G.  Jackson.  He  was 
soon  liberated  to  exercise  publicly 
his  gift  and  was  in  1865  ordained  to 
the  full  functions  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry and  has  since  had  the  care  of. 
churches.  Elder  Sawin  mc  ved  from 
Indiana  to  Illinois  in  1862,  is  now  in 
his  seventy-first  year  of  age,  yet  is 
full  of  energy  and  zeal  in  the  cause 
of  truth.  He  is  a  useful  minister  and 
much  loved  by  his  people. 


P.   W.   SAWIN. 

Sawin,  Elder  P.  W.,  of  Shelbyville, 
Ky.,  was  born  in  Johnson  County, 
Ind.,  January  2,  1844,  raised  by  Christ- 
ian parents  who  brought  up  their  chil- 


242 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


dren  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord  and  taught  them  the  way  to 
go.  But  this  was  the  limit  of  their 
power.  God  alone  could  give  their 
children  eyes  to  see,  ears  to  hear  and 
hearts  to!  understand.  This  was  done 
for  Elder  Sawin  when  he  was  about 
ten  years  of  age.  He  was  enabled  to 
look  within,  to  see  and  feel  the  cor- 
ruption of  the  natural  heart  and  to 
cry  unto  the  Lord  for  mercy.  So  great 
was  his  darkness  and  so  deserving  of 
hell  seemed  his  case  that  he  would 
have  freely  exchanged  places  with  the 
beasts  of  the  field.  But  God,  who  be- 
gins this  good  work  continues  it  and 
he  was  made  to  trust  in  Jesus  and  re- 


P.   W.    SAWIN 


joice  in  his  salvation.  He  united  with 
the  dear  old  church  in  his  fifteenth 
year,  began  his  public  service  in  his 
eighteenth  year,  was  soon  licensed 
and  in  1868  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of?  the  ministry,  and  he  soon 
went  on  a  preaching  tour  through 
Ohio,  Kentucky,  Alabama,  Georgia, 
North  Carolina,  Virginia,  Maryland 
and  Pennsylvania.  Leaving  home  with 
less  than  two  dollars,  he  was  given 
faith  to  trust  God  and  after  traveling 
more  than  five  thousand  miles,  return- 
ed home  and  like  the  apostles  could 
say  he  lacked  ncthing,  that  his  needs 
were  supplied  and  his  life  preserved 
and  he  made  more  humble  and  grate- 
ful for  God's  mercies.  This  was  forty- 
eight  years  ago,  and  since  then  Elder 
Sawin  has  treveled  more  than  one 
hundred  thousand  miles  by  rail,  and 
many  thousand  by  private  conveyance 
in  the  United  States  and  Canada,* in 
the  service  of  the  Master  without  a 
money  consideration,  but  for  the  love 
of  God  and  his  people;  and  now  in  the 
sixty-fifth  year  of  his  age  he  can  feel 


the  Lord  has  sustained  him  and  open- 
ed the  hearts  of  His  people  to  minis- 
ter to  his  necessities  in  many  ways. 
He  is  now  serving  five  churches  and 
is  strong  in  the  faith,  and  bold  in  the 
defense  of  the  doctrine  of  God  our 
Saviour  yet  he  feels  to  be  a  poor,  un- 
profitable servant,  loves  the  fellow- 
ship of.  his  brethren  and  desires  to  die 
at  Ms  post  of  duty.  Elder  Sawin  has 
for  many  years  served  as  moderator 
of  the  Licking  Association  of  Primi- 
tive Baptists  and  is  highly  esteemed 
where  known. 


JOEL    P.   SAYERS. 

Sayers,  Elder  Joel  P.,  of  Coosa 
County,  Ala.,  was  born  in  1812,  and 
died  September,  1895,  in  his  eighty- 
fourth  year  of  age.  For  thirty  years 
he  was  a  faithful  preacher,  devoted 
to  the  cause  of  Christ  and  ready  to 
make  any  reasonable  sacrifice.  In  his 
preaching  his  theme  was  Jesus  and 
His  sure  salvation  for  his  people.  He 
never  sought  to  be  popular  with  the 
world  but  desired  to  contend  for  the 
truth  under  all  circumstances.  He 
was  a  good  disciplinarian  and  for 
many  years  was  moderator  of  the 
Wetumpka  Association.  His  last  ser- 
mon was  preached  at  Little  Hope  As- 
sociation, and  on  his  way  home  he 
was  taken  sick  and  died  in  about  two 
weeks  in  the  full  triumphs  of  faith. 


WILLIAM  SEARS. 

Sears,  Elder  William,  of  Calloa,  Mo., 
"was    born    in    North    Carolina,    Apiil 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


243 


11,  1804,  and  joined  Silver  Creek 
Church,  Randolph  County,  Mo.,  in 
1832,  and  was  ordained  in  1834.  He 
was  moderator  of  Yellow  Creek  Asso- 
ciation for  many  years  and  was  a 
warm  gospel  preacher.  He  died  Au- 
gust 8,  1878."  Further  information  of 
his  life  and  labors  could  not  be  ob- 
tained. 


S.    W.   SEARS 

Sears,  Elder  S.  W.,  of  Palmyra,  Mo., 
"was  born  in  Randolph  County,  Mo., 
April  7,  1843,  and  united  with  Silver 
Creek  Church  in  October,  18G5.  He 
was  ordained  in  Chariton  Church,  Ma- 
con County,  Mo.,  in  which  he  now  has 
membership,  September  IS,  1880,  and 
has  had  the  care  of  four  churches  al- 
most ever  since.  He  is  at  present  the 
moderator  of  Yellow  Creek  Associa- 
tion.' From  Elder  Cash's  book..  1896. 
Information  for  a  full  sketch  for  this 
work  could  not  be  obtained. 


SAMUEL   SEITZ. 

Seitz,  Elder  Samuel,  of  Ohio,  who 
peacefully  passed  away  at  his  home 
near  Van  Buren,  August  15,  1899,  was 
a  faithful  servant,  a  good  counsellor, 
and  a  kind-hearted  Christian  whose 
life  Avas  crowned  with  the  grace  of 
humility  and  meekness,  which  made 
his  labors  in  the  ministry  of  great 
value  to  those  whom  he  served.  The 
greater  part  of  his  life  was  spent  in 


the  service  of  his  brethren  and  his 
Lord,  and  notwithstanding  all  the 
hardships  through  which  he  passed  in 
traveling  many  miles  through  heat 
and  cold  in  serving  churches,  and  in 
clearing  up  a  large  farm,  and  sup 
porting  his  family,  he  lived  to  a  good 
old  age,,  and  until  his  last  sickness 
was  remarkably  strong  for  a  man  of 
his  age.  Thus,  after  a  life  of  constant 
toil,  a  life  well  spent,  he  has  gone  to 
his  reward.  The  editor  regrets  that 
full  particulars  of  Elder  Seitzs  labors 
in  the  ministry  could  not  be  obtained. 


NATHANIEL    M.    SENTER. 

Senter,  Elder  Nathaniel  M.  (1810- 
1877),  was  born  in  Virginia,  united 
with  the  Baptists  at  Piney  Creek 
Church  in  his  seventeenth  year  and 
was  the  following  year  licensed,  and 
in  1838  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry  by  Elders  Druery  Senter  and 
Solomon  Stamper.  Uniting  with  the 
church  before  the  division  he  opposed 
the  innovations  that  were  brought  in 
and  pressed  upon  the  churches.  His 
warning  voice  was  heard  and  his  in- 
fluence was  felt  during  these  days  of 
dissension,  and  through  it  all  he  stood 
firm  for  the  doctrine  and  practice  of 
the  apostolic  church.  He  was  for  many 
years  moderator  of:  the  Mountain 
District  Association,  also  served  the 
Senter  Association  in  the  same  ca- 
pacity. Elder  Senter  was  a  good  dis- 
ciplinarian, an  interesting  speaker  and 
a  faithful  soldier  of  King  Emmanuel, 
and  died  in  the  faith  of  God's  elect 
with  a  comforting  assurance  of  happi- 
ness beyond. 


JOHN    D.   SCOT- 


Scott,  Elder  John  D.,  of  Wilson 
County,  N.  C,  was  born  about  the 
year  1833,  and  died  July  31,  1893.  He 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  at  White  Oak  in  1871  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Jesse  Baker,  and 
was  in  1874  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry,  but  the  editor  is  unable  to 
speak  of  his  ministerial  work  in  detail 
or  to  name  the  churches  he  served. 
He  was,  a  few  months  before  his 
death,  bitten  by  a  rabid  dog,  from 
which  he  was  never  entirely  cured, 
and  after  much  suffering  passed  away 
— his  last  words  being,  'Jesus,  Jesus." 
Elder  Gold,  who  was  well  acquainted 
with  him,  writes,  at  the  time  of  his 
death,,   as    follows:    "Elder    Scott    had 


244 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


his  faults,  and  P.  D.  Gold  lias  his 
faults  too.  Elder  Scctt  possessed  to 
me  some  lovely,  noble  traits,  and  his 
death  was  very  sad  to  me.  I  was  pres- 
ent and  spoke  with  Elder  J.  S.  Wood- 
ard  at  his  burial." 


JOHN    L.   SCOTT. 

Scott,  Elder  John  L.,  of  Pleasant 
Plains,.  111.,  "was  born  in  Sangamon 
County,  111.,  January  1,  18G5,  and 
united  with  Union  Church,  Morgan 
County,  111.,  in  1884.  He  was  ordained 
in  the  year  1893,  and  has  had  the  care 
of  churches  ever  since.  He  is  moder- 
ator of  Morgan  Association  in  the 
state  of  Illinois."  This  brief  sketch  is 
from  Elder  Cash's  book  of  189G.  The 
editor  failed  to  obtain  further  infor- 
mation of  Elder  Scott's  life  and  la- 
bors. 


ABNER   SHANK. 

Shank,  Elder  Abner,  of  Turner,  Ore., 
was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  O  , 
December  27,  1810,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  called  Paint 
Creek,  in  Carroll  County,  Ind.,  in  Au- 
gust, 1840,  was  ordained  in  Sharon 
Church,  Guthrie  County,  Iowa,  in  Oc- 
tober, 1S64,  and  moved  to  the  state  of 
Oregon  in  the  year  1865.  Elder  Shank 
was  a  true,  faithful  under-shepherd, 
standing  high  in  the  affection  and  es- 
teem of  the  Baptists  of  Oregon  among 
whom  he     earnestly     labored     in  the 


cause  of  truth.  The  editor  failed  to  se- 
cure proper  data  for  a  detailed  notice 
of  this  useful  minister's  labors. 


LEVI    B.  SHERWOOD. 

Sherwood,  Elder  Levi  B.,  of  Ohio, 
was  born  in  the  state  of  Virginia  Sep- 
tember 16,  1827.  He  moved  with  his 
parents  to  Ohio  in  early  life,  locating 
in  Delaware  County;  professed  a  hope 
in  Christ  at  the  age  of  twelve  years, 
united  with  the  Marlborough  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church,  November,  1839, 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Benjamin 
Martin.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Julia  Ann  Wornstaff,  August  23,  1849. 
To  this  union  five  children  were  born. 
In  June  1858,  the  church  liberated  him 
to  exercise  the  gift  that  God  had 
given,  and  in  1859  he  was  ordained  to 
the  work  of  a  gospel  minister  by  the 
following  presbytery:  Elders  Jcfhn 
Lewis,  Zachariah  Thomas,  Eli  Ash- 
brook,  Daniel  Schofield,  Samuel  Mer- 
ideth  and  S.  C.  Main.  During  his  min- 
istry he  baptized  two  hundred  and 
sixteen  persons,  married  two  hundred 
and  fifty-six  couples,  attended  hun- 
dreds of  funerals,  served  four 
churches  almost  continually  and  left  a 
record  of  faithful,  zealous  service  in 
the  Master's,  vineyard.  He  died  Au- 
gust 22,  1890,  in  the  triumph  of  that 
living  faith  he  had  so  faithfully 
preached  to  others. 


JOHN   SHIELDS. 

Shields,  Elder  John  (1814-1873),  of 
Indiana,  was  born  in  Jennings  County. 
He  was  a  man  of  deep  thought,  strong 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


245 


intellect  and  good  memory.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  was  almost  blind, 
and  not  being  able  to  read  on  this  ac- 
count, he  had  to  depend  upon  his 
memory,  and  it  was  remarkable  how 
he  could  call  to  mind,  and  locate,  most 
any  passage  of  Scripture  in  the  Bible 
which  he  needed  to  connect  a  chain 
of  thought.  He  began  his  ministerial 
duties  at  Sugar  Creek  Church  in  Ed- 
gar County,  111.,  in  1843,  and  for  thirty 
years  was  a  faithful  pastor.  He  was 
a  noted  pulpit  orator,  stood  well 
amc'ng  the  Baptists  and  was  favored 
to  baptize  hundreds  in  the  fellowship 
of  his  churches  during  his  ministry. 
He  traveled  extensively  during  his 
life.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
a  member  of  Providence  Church 
which  was  organized  in  1844,  and 
which  he  served  as  pastor  for  many 
years. 


D.    B.    SHIFFIELD. 

Shiffield,  Elder  D.  B.,  of  Fort 
Pierce,  Fla.,  was  born  March  8,  1840, 
convicted  of  sin  and  given  a  hope  in 
the  Saviour  of  sinners  in  youth  and 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists 
November,  18G6,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  J.  E.  W.  Smith.  He  was  soon 
impressed  with  the  duty  of  preaching 
Jesus  to  others,  but  as  he  had  no  ad- 
vantages of  an  education  when  young, 
and  was  unable  to  read,  he  felt  that 
to  preach  was  an  impossibility.  His 
wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Miss 
Debbie  Miller, — to  whcm  he  was  mar- 
ried in  1866,  soon  after  his  return  j 
from  the  war,  was  fairly  well  educat- 
ed, and  became  her  husband's  teacher,  j 
and  her  pupil  was  an  apt  one  and 
was  soon  reading  the  Bible  with  ease.  J 


But  Jonah-like,  he  for  many  years  ran 
from  duty  and  suffered  many  trials. 
His  mind  was  so  deeply  impressed 
that  there  was  a  work  for  him  to  do 
in  South  Florida,  that  he  moved  there 
in  1870,  was  soon  ordained,  and  since 
has  had  the  care  of  several  churches. 
Elder  Shiffield  is  an  experimental 
preacher,  sound  in  the  doctrine  of  sal- 
vation by  grace  and  faithful  in  the 
cause  of   Christ. 


J.    H.    SHIRLEY. 

Shirley,  Elder  J.  H.,  of  Ohio,  was 
born  in  Laurens  District,  S.  C,  April 
20,  1828,— moved  to  Alabama  1832; 
settled  in  the  Indian  Nation,  Cham- 
bers County,  where  he  suffered  all  the 
hardships  incident  to  a  new  country; 
was  married  in  1849  to  Miss  Martha 
Copeland.  One  child  was  born  to  this 
union,  and  it  and  its  mother  died  in 
1851.  He  received  a  hope  in  Jesus  in 
1844  and  in  July,  1852,  joined  the 
church  of  Christ  at  Emaus  in  Chamb- 
ers County,  Ala.,  was  baptized  by  Elder 
J.  M.  Duke,  and  was  married  the  sec- 
ond time  to  Miss  Mary  A.  L.  Sanders 
in  1852.  To  this  union  were  born  four 
children,  three  of  whom  are  still  liv- 
ing. He  went  through  the  war  between 
the  states;  was  wounded  in  his  right 
arm,  making  him  a  cripple  for  life; 
began  preaching  in  1871;  was  ordain- 
ed about  1872,  and  for  many  years 
served  four  churches  regularly.  He 
moved  to  Shelby  County,  Ala.,  about 
1890  and  has  since  lived  there.  He  is 
able  in  the  defense  of  the  doctrine, 
and  an  earnest  worker  in  his  Masters' 
vineyard;  and,  the  best  part  of  it  was, 
he  has  walked  as  he  talked.  He  is  now 
past  his  eightieth  mile-post,  and  it 
will  not  be  long  till  his  gray  head, 
wrinkled  face,  and  his  stooped  body 
will  be  changed  for  the  grand  beau- 
ties cf  youth  with  a  goMen  crown  in 
that  beautiful  world  above. 


A.    S.    SHOEMAKER. 

Shoemaker,  Elder  A.  S.,  of  Ohio, 
was  born,  March  9.  1S32,  in  Delaware 
County,  O.,  in  what  was  then  an  al- 
most unbroken  wilderness,  near  where 
he  now  lives.  His  father  and  mother 
were  Primitive  Baptists,  and  were  in 
the  constitution  of  Alum  Creek 
Church,  June,  1835,  now  located  in  the 
village  of  Ashley,  O.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  leaving 
a  mother  with  four  children,  of  whom 


246 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


he  was  the  eldest.  Hence  he  knew 
something  of  the  privatichs  of  a  fath- 
erless boy  in  a  new  country.  In  early 
life  he  became  concerned  about  him- 
self as  a  poor  sinner.  In  December, 
1852,  when  in  his  twenty-first  year,  af- 
ter many  hours  of  sorrrtw,  he  was 
made  to  rejoice  in  a  precious  hope. 
July  21,  1853,  he  was  married.  In  De- 
cember, 1853,  he  went  to  the  church 
of  which  he  is  now  a  member  and  was 
baptized.  His  wife  became  a  member 
a  few  years  later.  He  soon  began  to 
be  exercised  in  mind  about  preaching, 
but  tried  to  keep  it  hid.  The  church 


A.    S.    SHOEMAKER 

feeling  that  the  Lord  had  blessed 
him  witn  a  eift,  he  was  liberated, 
October  8,  18G4,  and  after  having 
twice  refused  to  submit  to  the  will 
of  the  church,  was  ordained,  May  9, 
1868.  He  has  served  churches  contin- 
uously to  the  present  time  and  is  now 
serving  fcur  churches.  His  wife,  who 
was  the  mother  of  four  children,  de- 
voted to  her  family  and  to  the  church, 
died  November  25,  1894,  in  the  tri- 
umph of  faith.  April  3,  1898,  he  was 
again  married,  and  was  again  blessed 
with  a  loving  and  agreeable  compan- 
ion, with  whom  he  was  permitted  to 
live  ctaly  nine  years  and  seven 
months,  when  he  was  again  bereft  of 
such  endearing  companionship.  Elder 
Shoemaker  is  an  humble,  faithful  and 
useful  minister  and  highly  esteemed 
by  those  among  whom  he  labors. 


united  with  the  New  School  Baptists 
in  June,  1870,  but  becoming  dissatis- 
fied with  them  and  feeling  they  were 
not  contending  for  the  faith  once  de- 
livered   unto  the  saints  he  united  with 


W.   M.  SHOEMAKER. 

Shoemaker,  Elder  W.  M.,  of  Ashley, 
O.  This  able  and  faithful  "soldier  of 
the  cross'  was  born  near  Ashley,  Del- 
aware County,  O.,  November  27,  185G; 


W.    M.   SHOEMAKER 

the  Old  School  Baptists  at  Alum 
Creek  Church,  October  2,  187G,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  L.  B.  Sher- 
wood. He  commenced  preaching  in 
1888  and  was  ordained  December, 
1891,  and  now  has  the  care  of  three 
churches.  Elder  Shoemaker  was,  in 
August,  187G,  married  to  Miss  Lucy 
Sherwood.  He  is  zealous  in  the  cause 
of  truth  and  highly  esteemed  among 
his  people.  

BENJAMIN    SHORT. 


Short,  Elder  Benjamin,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, son  of  William  and  Sarah  Short, 
was  born  in  Wyoming  County,  W.  Va., 
December  30,  185G,  and  died  March 
4,  1893.  Early  in  life  it  pleased  the 
Lord  to  show  him  his  sinful  condition 
by  nature  and  what  he  must  be  by 
grace  to  see  God  in  peace.  Soon  he 
was  given  a  hope  in  the  Saviour; 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists, 
and  in  a  few  years  was  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry.  He  proved 
faithful  until  the  end  and  finished 
his  course  in  the  triumphs  of  a  living 
faith. 


ASA   D.  SHORT. 

Short,  Elder  Asa  D.,  of  Floyd,  Va., 
son  of  Joseph  N.  and  Mary  Short,  was 
born  in  Floyd  County,  Va.,  April  17, 
1842.  His  opportunities  for  an  educa- 
tion  were     very     limited — his   school 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


247 


days  altogether  amounting  to  about 
six  months.  When  about  twelve  years 
of  age  he  was  deeply  concerned  about 
salvation,  and  though  this  interest  re- 
mained with  him  through  all  the  years 
c/f  youth  and  early  manhood  and  fol- 
lowed him  even  amid  the  carnage  of 
battle — for  he  was  a  soldier  in  the 
late  war  and  realized  the  providential 
care  of  God  especially  at  the  battle  of 
Missionary  Ridge — yet  he  had  no  well 
grcunded  hope  in  the  Saviour  or  a 
fleeling  sense  of  the  forgiveness  of  his 
sins  until  his  twenty-sixth  year.  This 
hope  in  the  Saviour  was  preceded  by 
about  two  years  of  gloom,  despond- 
ency and  a  feeling  that  he  had  "sinned 
away  his  day  of  grace"  and  that  there 
was  no  hope  for  him.  When  he  was 
delivered  of  this  burden  of  condemna- 
tion he  was  impressed  with  the  duty 
of  baptism  and  that  he  must  preach 
Jesus  to  others.  He  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  April,  1868,  was 
baptized  by  Elder  T.  L.  Roberson, 
began  preaching  one  month  after- 
wards and  was  ordained  September, 
1873,  by  Elders  Daniel  Conners,  G.  L. 
Tuggle  and  W.  H.  Dodd.  Elder  Short 
now  has  the  care  of  four  churches, 
is  faithful  and  zealous  and  feels  ac- 
countable to  the  Lord  for  his  stew- 
ardship. In  1866  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  C.  Graham,  which  union 
was  blessed  with  ten  children,  six  of 
whom  are  now  living. 


A.  A.  SHOULTZ. 

Shoultz,  Elder  A.  A.,  of  Owensville, 
Ind.,  was  born  in  Pike  County,  Febru- 
ary 25,  1862,  moved  to  Missouri  with 
his  mother  when  a  boy,  had  poor  ad- 
vantages of  an  education  but  was  an 


apt  schclar  and  close  observer,  at- 
tended Sunday  School  in  youth  but 
enjoyed  riding  his  mother's  mule  to 
the  Missionary  Church  much  better 
than  he  did  reading  the  lessons.  How- 
ever their  teaching  seemed  to  be 
about  right — that  we  could  not  be  sav- 
ed withe  ut  being  good,  and  we  could 
not  be  good  without  doing  good,  and 
it  depended  altogether  on  what  we  did 
in  regard  to  being  saved.  But  his 
mother,  who  was  a  Primitive  Baptist, 
would  tell  him  that  salvation  all  de- 
pended on  what  the  Lord  did  for 
sinners,  and  that  they  were  saved 
through  the  mercy  and  grace  of  God. 
But  he  was  not  interested  in  either 
way  of  salvation  very  much  until 
eighteen  years  old,  when  he  learned 
by  experience  that  it  would  net  do  to 
depend  on  human  merit,  and  the  plan 
of  salvation  that  his  mother  advocated 
was  the  only  plan  that  would  save  a 
condemned  sinner  like  himself.  At  the 
age  of  twenty  he  moved  back  to  In- 
diana and  lived  with  his  uncle  who 
was  a  Primitive  Baptist;  when  he 
went  with  him  to  his  meeting  the 
preacher  advocated  the  same  plan  of 
salvation  that  his  mother  taught.  And 
in  spite  of  all  the  hard  things  he  had 
heard  said  against  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists he  loved  them  and  their  doctrine, 
offered  himself  to  Little  Zion  Church 
in  Pike  County,  Ind.,  1882,  and  was 
received  and  baptized  by  their  pastor, 
Elder  J.  \V.  Richardson.  He  was  soon 
impressed  to  preach  the  gospel  but 
tried  to  keep  it  to  himself.  In  this  he 
failed, — the  church  knew  his  secret, 
liberated  him,  and  in  1888  he  was  or- 
dained and  has  since  had  the  care  of 
churches,  and  is  now  preaching  for 
some  of  the  churches  that  the  late 
Lemuel  Potter  served.  Elder  Shoultz 
is  an  able,  energetic  and  faithful  min- 
ister and  has  for  many  years  served 
as  moderator  of  the  Salem  Associa- 
tion. He  is  satisfied  with  the  old  fash- 
ion church  and  wants  no  doctrine  and 
practice  in  his  churches  not  taught  in 
the  New  Testament. 


NOAH  SHOWALTER. 

Showalter,  Elder  Noah,  of  Illinois, 
was  born  in  Virginia,  September  25, 
1826,  and  died  February  19,  1906,  in 
his  seventy-ninth  year  of  age.  He  unit- 
ed with  the  Primitive  Baptists  about 
the  year  1854,  was  ordained  deaccto 
four  years  later  and  in  1862  was  set 
apart  for  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry. All  this  was  done  by  the  Little 
Rock    Church,   Cass    County,   111.,    and 


248 


PRTMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


soon  afterwards  Elder  Showalter 
moved  to  Iowa  and  later  to  Kansas. 
Later  he  settled  in  Moscow,  Idaho, 
and  had  the  care  of  churches  most 
of  his  ministerial  life  and  was  loved 
by  those  among  whom   he  labored. 


L.  C  SHREWSBURY. 

Shrewsbury,  Elder  L.  C,  of  Beckley, 
W.  Va.,  is  the  faithful  pastor  of 
churches  within  the  bounds  of  Indian 
Creek  Baptist  Association,  and  has  for 
some  time  served  as  moderator  of  this 
body  and  it  is  with  regret  that  an 
extended  notice  of  his  life  and  labors 
could  not  appear. 


ASA   SIDBURRY. 

Sidburry,  Elder  Asa  (1804-1882),  of 
North  Carolina.  This  faithful  minister 
who  peacefully  passed  over  "the  river" 
in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age 
was  indeed  a  father  in  Israel.  His  ten- 
derness, fatherly  care  and  wholesome 
advice  will  long  be  remembered  by 
his  churches.  He  was  in  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  White  Oak  Baptist  Asso- 
ciation, also*  in  the  constitution  of  the 
Yopps  Church,  which  took  place 
1835,  He  was  ordained  deacon  Decem- 
ber, 1843,  and  he  filled  that  office  un- 
til the  Lord  was  pleased  to  call  him 
to  a  more  noble  work.  He  was  then 
ordained  to  the  ministry  in  Septem- 
ber, 1847,  by  Elders  Jcsiah  Smith  and 
Samuel  Holt.  He  was  then  chosen 
pastor  of  the  Yopps  Church  and  after 
wards  had  the  care  of  other  churches 
in  the  bounds  of  the  "White  Oak  Asso- 
ciation which  he  faithfully  served  un- 
til his  warfare  was  ended.  In  life  he 
was  useful  and  highly  esteemed — in 
the  hour  of  death,  calm,  resigned  and 
hcpefully  triumphant;,  and  when  his 
friends  would  come  to  see  him  and 
try  to  cheer  him  by  telling  him 
they  hoped  he  would  soon  get  better 
he  would  tell  them  not  to  hope  that 
for  he  did  not  want  to  get  better  in 
this  world,  but  longed  to  see  the  mo- 
ment come  that  would  release  him 
from  this  world,  and  he  would  beg 
his  weeping  wife  and  friends  not  to 
grieve  after  him  for  he  would  be  bet- 
ter off,  and  the  last  words  he  was  ever 
heard  to  say  were,  "farewell  vain 
world,  I  bid  you  adieu.' 


MATTHEW    SIKES. 

Sikes,    Elder    Matthew      (1825-1900), 
of  Geofrgia,  was   a  most  devoted   and 


able  minister.  He  preached  for  a  num- 
ber of  years  in  a  section  where  there 
were  but  few  Primitive  Baptist 
Churches — using  school  houses  and 
churches  of  other  orders,  private 
houses  and  often  in  the  woods  at 
neighborhood  gatherings.  Under  his 
ministry,  several  churches  were  es- 
tablished. He  bore  many  burdens 
alone  and  did  not  receive  the  financial 
help  from  the  brotherhood  that  was 
due  him.  Nevertheless  he  himself  was 
faithful.  In  the  pulpit  he  was  eloquent 
and  convincing,  and  in  private  life 
humble  and  childlike.  His  character 
was  clean  and  strong.  He  stood  at  his 
post  of  duty  for  thirty  years  and  few 
persons  ever  showed  greater  self-de- 
nial, and  more  fervent  zeal  in  the 
cause  of  truth. 


E.   B.   SIMMONS. 

Simmons,  Elder  E.  B.,  of  Hunting- 
ton, Tenn.,  was  born  in  Carroll  Coun- 
ty, Tenn.;  obtained  a  hope  in  Jesus 
when  about  sixteen  years  eld;  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in 
his  twentieth  year  and  was  ordained 
to  the  ministry  November  23,  1890. 
He  has  served  several  churches  as 
pastor  and  has  traveled  and  preached 
in  several  states.  Elder  Simmons  is 
moderator  of  the  Big  Sandy  Associa- 
tion of  Tennessee  and  is  greatly  be- 
loved by  his  people.  As  a  business 
man  and  teacher  he  has  also  been 
prominent.  He  taught  school  for  twen- 
ty-two years,  merchandised  for  two 
years,  was  one  of  the  promoters  of  the 
Dixie  Telephone  Company  in  Ten- 
nessee and  Kentucky  and  served  as 
its  president;   is  also  connected  as  di- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


249 


rector  and  representative  of  other  bus- 
iness enterprises  of  his  town  and 
state,  and  has  the  confidence  of  his 
neighbors  and  business  associates. 


W.   A.   SIMPKINS. 

Simpkins,  Elder  W.  A.,  of  Raleigh, 
N.  C.,  is  a  young  minister  of  recogniz- 
ed gifts  and  many  admirable  traits  of 
character.  He  has  the  pastoral  care  of 
Mt.  Gilead,  the  church  at  Raleigh  and 
other  churches,  and  his  labors  in  the 
Master's  kingdom  have  been  blessed  to 
the  cc'mfort,  edification  and  instruc- 
tion of  many  of  God's  children.  Elder 
Simpkins  is  also  a  valued  correspond- 
ent of  Zion's  Landmark,  a  lover  of 
peace  and  satisfied  with  the  order  of 
God's  house. 


ALLEN    SISK. 

Sisk,  Elder  Allen,  of  Excelsior 
Springs,  Mo.,  was  born  in  Cocke  Coun- 
ty, Tenn.,  December  9,  1833,  and  unit- 
ed with  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church, 
called  New  Garden,  Ray  County,  Mo., 
in  August,  1859,  where  he  was  or- 
dained in  August,  186G.  In  his  youth 
he  was  wild  and  reckless,  but  since 
called  to  follow  the  Lord  Jesus  he 
has  been  a  faithful  soldier  of  the  cross 
and  serves  the  churches  acceptably. 
E'der  Sisk  has  for  a  number  of  years 
been  moderator  of  the  Fishing  River 
Association  and  is  greatly  loved  by 
the  churches.  He  is  a  safe,  sound  and 
worthy  minister. 


JOHN  W.  SKAGGS. 

Skaggs,  Elder  John  W.,  of  Kansas 
City,  Mo.,  was  born  in  Cass  County, 
111.,  February  21,  1839,  and  grew  to 
manhood  in  that  state,  experienced 
a  hope  in  Christ  in  1861,  was  married 
to  Miss  Lucy  C.  Hawthorn  in  1867, 
moved  to  Kansas  in  the  fall  of  1867, 
and  united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists 
November,  1869,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  A.  H.  Mahuron.  He  began  speak- 
ing in  public  in  1872,  moved  to  Fort 
Scctt  in  November,  1874,  where  his 
wife  died  April  13,  1875.  In  July  of 
the  same  year  he  returned  to  Illinois, 
united  with  Little  Flock  Church  by 
letter  and  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  in  1S76.  While 
there  he  was  married  to  Miss  Anna 
M.  Ellis,  September,  1880.  Elder 
Skaggs  has  served  several  churcnes 
as  pastor  and  assistant  pastor  and 
has  traveled  considerably  in  the  mid- 
dle west  and  some  of  the  western 
states. 


MITCHEL   SLOAN. 

Sloan,  Elder  Mitchel,  of  Tenn.,  was 
born  May  10,  1824,  and  died  March  26, 
1907,  having  passed  the  eighty-fourth 
mile  post.  He  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Church  about  the  year  of 
1845,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Wm. 
Tacket,  in  fellowship  with  the  Old 
Chloe  Church,  and  began  his  ministry 
soon  afterwards.  He  contended  earn- 
estly for  the  faith  once  delivered  to 
the  saints,  and  was  not.  carried  about 
by  every  wind  of  doctrine.  He  was 
pastor  of  Raccoon,  Philadelphia,  and 
Greasy  Creek  Churches  for  a  number 
of  years  .  He  was  noted  for  his  good 


250 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


memory,  and  in  his  extreme  old  age 
was  able  to  read  fine  print  without 
glasses.  He  died  strong  in  the  faith 
of  salvation  in  Jesus. 


ISAAC   SKELTON. 

Skelton,  Elder  Isaac,  of  Loveland, 
Iowa,  was  born  in  Putnam  County, 
Ind.,  December  24,  1840,  and  united 
with  the  Old  School  Baptist  Church 
called  Council  Bluffs  in  Pottawatta- 
mie County,  Iowa,  in  1864.  He  was  or- 
dained as  deacon  of  the  church  in 
1873,  and  was  ordained  as  minister  of 
the  gospel  in  1877..  in  which  office  he 
was  faithful.  He  died  December  25, 
1892. 


ABNER   SMITH. 

Smith,  Eider  Abner,  of  Texas.  This 
faithful  minister  moved  from  Alabama 
about  the  year  1832  and  settled  in 
Bartrc<p  County.  He  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  preachers  of  Texas,  and  with 
others,  constituted  Providence  Church 
about  the  year  1S33.  He  was  strong  in 
the  faith  of  God's  salvation  in  Jesus 
for  all  the  seed  of  promise  and  stood 
firm  for  Bible  doctrine  and  practice  in 
the  great  division  1827-1835,  and  the 
editor  regrets  that  a  more  complete 
sketch  could  not  be  given. 


JOB  SMITH. 

Smith,  Elder  Job  (1821-1906),  was 
born  in  Onslow  County,  N.  C.,  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists  at  White 


Oak  Church  1845,  began  preaching 
soon  afterward  and  was  ordained  in 
1870  by  Elders  John  Hewett  and  Bry- 
an Whitford.  He  was  soon  called  to 
the  care  of  White  Oak,  Wardsville 
and  North  East  Churches  and  served 


JOB  SMITH 

them  faithfully  as  long  as  he  was  able 
to  travel.  He  was  an  old  fashion 
preacher  and  a  lover  of  peace  and 
fellowship.  Brother  Smith  served  as 
First  Lieutenant  in  the  North  Carolina 
militia  during  the  Mexican  war,  and 
was  in  all  the  relations  of  life  a  plain, 
straightforward,  honest  man. 


E.  C.  SMITH. 

Smith,  Elder  E.  C.  (1869-1899),  ot 
North  Carolina,  was  convicted  of  sin 
in  early  life  and  united  with  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church.  He  was,  some 
years  afterwards  ordained  to  the  min- 
istry and  served  churches  in  the  east- 
ern part  of  the  state,  but  a  suitable  re- 
cord of  his  labors  cannot,  for  lack  of 
data,  be  given. 


HENRY  SPEAR. 

Spear,  Elder  Henry,  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, who  died  in  1840,  was  truly  a  fath- 
er in  Israel,  and  a  beloved  brother  in 
Christ.  He  had  long  stood  on 
the  spiritual  walls  of  the  Zion  of  God, 
in  this  militant  state.  For  nearly  half 
a  century  he  was  an  indefatigable 
minister  of  the  New  Testament.  When 
he  commenced  his  ministry  the  coun- 
try was  new  and  there  were  very  few 
Baptists    on   the    western   side   of   the 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


251 


Allegheny  mountains — nut  few  roads, 
and  they  were  over  mountains  and  ex- 
tensive wilds,  abounding  with  beasts 
of  prey.  All  these  hardships  trials, 
dangers  and  perils  he  encountered  and 
endured  with  the  unyielding  courage 
of  a  true  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ.  He 
sought  out  the  residence  of  the  poor 
cottager  of  the  wood;  preached  to 
him  Jesus  Christ  the  only  way,  the 
truth,  the  life  and  salvation,  and  as- 
sisted in  gathering  many  churches  in 
various  parts  of  this  country  (most  of 
which  became  members  of  Redstone 
Association) ;  and  labored  constantly 
with  his  hands  to  supply  his  numer- 
ous family  and  friends;  he  fed  the 
hungry,  clothed  the  naked,  gave  couch 
to  the  wearry  traveler;  did  much  in 
different  ways  by  labor,  counsel  and 
cash,  to  sustain  and  to  entertain  the 
churches  and  brethren  both  at  home 
and  abroad. 


R.  T.  SPEIGHT. 

Speight,  Elder  R.  T.  (1811-1900), 
Breeman,  Ga.,  was  born  in  Darlington 
District,  S.  C,  raised  by  Methodist  pa- 
rents, and  spent  his  youth  in  folly, 
and  as  he  wrote,  neither  hoping  for 
heaven  ncr  caring  for  hell.  But  God 
who  is  rich  in  mercy  cared  for  him 
when  he  did  not  care  for  himself, 
brought  him  to  see  and  repent  of  his 
sins,  gave  him  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus 
and  enabled  him  to  take  up  the  cross 
November,  1834,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Mitchell  Bennett  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  Bay  Creek  Church,  Walton 
Cciunty,  Ga.  He  had  impressions  to 
preach  before  he  was  baptized,  but  dis- 
obeyed the  heavenly  call,  was  greatly 
afflicted  and  brought  very  low  in  sor- 
row's vale.  In  1843  he  agreed  to  sub- 
mit to  the  Lord  and  His  church,  was 
ordained  by  Elders  Henry  Haynes, 
Moses  H.  Denman  and  Allen  Pensan. 
Elder  Speight  was  a  useful  minister, 
was  in  the  constitution  of  several 
churches,  assisted  in  many  ordination 
exercises  of  elders  and  deacons,  bap- 
tized and  married  many  persons,  and 
faithfully  served  four  churches  almost 
continuously  until  his  death. 


regretted  that  a  more  extended  sketch 
of  Elder  Spinks'  life  and  labors  could 
not  appear. 


J.   D.  SPINKS. 

Spinks,  Elder  J.  D.,  of  Lawhon,  La., 
is  moderator  of  the  Louisiana  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Association  and  the  faith- 
ful pastor  of  Mt.  Olive  and  other 
churches  of  this  association  and  it  is 


JOHN    STADLER. 

Stadler,  Elder  John,  of  Caswell 
County,  N.  C,  died  March  8,  1860.  He 
was  an  eminent  servant  of  the  Most 
High  God  and  noted  for  his  faithful 
stewardship.  For  twenty-one  consec- 
utive years  he  was  appointed  by  his 
association — the  Country  Line — as  a 
messenger  to  the  Kehukee  Association 
and  never  failed  but  once  to  attend 
in  that  pericd  of  time.  He  was  a  man 
of  sound  judgment,  wide  influence 
and  good  deportment,  and  as  a  minis- 
ter, was  able,  firm  and  faithful. 


C.    W.    STALLINGS. 

Stallings,  Elder  C.  W.,  of  Georgia, 
was  born  April  15,  1861,  and  died  No- 
vember 14,  1905;  at  eighteen  years  of 
age  he  was  married  to  Miss  Dora 
Howell,  and  they  lived  agreeably  to- 
gether until  his  death.  They  raised  six 
children — the  youngest  nine  years  eld 
at  the  death  of  the  father.  Three 
daughters  united  with  the  church  of 
his  membership.  One  died  in  infancy. 
There  were  four  girls  and  three  boys 
in  all.  He  united  with  the  Methodist 
church  in  his  eighteenth  year,  and 
lived  a  strict  member  -with  them  for 
six  years.  He  joined  the  Old  School 
or  Primitive  Baptists  at  Cat  Creek 
Church,  in  Lowndes  County,  Ga.,  in 
1886,  and  was  baptized  by  his  father, 
Elder  T.  W.  Stallings,  and  in  1889  he 
was  licensed.  In  1891  he  was  ordained 
to  the  full  functions  of  the  gospel 
ministry  by  Elders  A.  V.  Simms,  W.  H. 
Tomberlin,  J.  A.  O'Steen,  and  T.  W. 
Stallings.  And  since  that  time  he 
spent  much  of  his  time  in  faithfully 
serving  the  churches  under  his  care. 
He  was  sorely  afflicted  for  fourteen 
years;  and  during  the  last  seven  years 
of  his  life  he  was  carried  in  an  invalid 
chair,  and  sat  down  while  preaching. 
Yet,  he  continued  faithful  to  the  end. 
Three  of  the  churches  he  served  for 
eight  years,  and  enly  missed  four  con- 
ferences during  all  that  time.  He  was 
equally  as  faithful  to  his  family.  For 
two  years  of  the  latter  part  of  his  life 
he  was  unable  to  feed  himself,  but 
yet  he  served  the  Baptists  and  his 
family  faithfully  manifesting  the  very 
same  love  for  them  and  for  the  cause 
of  Christ  that  he  ever  did.  He  baptized 
about  200  members  before  he  became 


252 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


unable  to  administer  that  ordinance; 
and  married  many  people.  He  assisted 
in  the  constitution  of  six  or  eight 
churches,  assisted  in  the  ordination  of 
five  or  six  preachers  and  twelve  dea- 
cons, ever  seeming  willing  to  make 
any  sacrifice  for  the  cause  of  Christ 
that  was  needful  on  his  part,  and  to 
prove  the  life  of  an  honest  man.  He 
at  one  time  turned  over  all  he  pos- 
sessed of  worldly  goods  to  his  debtors, 
and  trusted  the  Lord  for  his  living, 
proving  that  he  was  seeking  God  and 
His  kingdom,  believing  that  all  need- 
ful things  wculd  be  added  to  him, 
which  was  proven  in  his  case.  He 
surely  fought  the  good  fight  of  faith 
and  died  as  he  had  lived — trusting 
alone  in  the  merits  of  a  crucified  and 
arisen  Saviour. 


JOHN    A.  STAMPER. 

Stamper,  Elder  John  A.,  of  North 
Carolina.  Among  the  faithful  ministry 
of  the  old,  time-honored  Kehukee  As- 
sociation of  a  half  century  ago,  stood 
Elder  John  A.  Stamper.  Upright  in 
life,  modest  in  appearance,  chaste  in 
conversation,  sound  and  well-grounded 
in  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour,  he 
was  a  useful  man  in  his  day  and  gen- 
eration and  an  able  minister  of  the 
New  Testament.  He  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  Kehukee  Church 
about  1S4S,  licensed  to  preach  May, 
1854,  ordained  April,  1855;  was  twice 
married — first  to  Miss  Eliza  Whitaker 
in  1823,  and  after  her  death,  to  Miss 
Martha  Whitehead  in  1831.  By  the 
first  union  two  children  were  born, 
and  eight  by  the  second.  In  the 
triumphs  of  faith  he  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus  July  9,  1876,  at  a  ripe  old  age, 
and  after  an  honorable  and  useful  pil- 
grimage. ■ 

L.   STARLING. 


Starling,  Elder  L.,  of  Luraville,  Fla.. 
is  the  moderator  of  San  Pedro  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Association  of  Florida, 
and  the  faithful  pastor  cf  churches 
within  the  bounds  of  this  association, 
and  the  editor  regrets  that  informa- 
tion for  a  more  extended  sketch  could 
not  be  obtained. 


JOSEPH    L.  STATON. 

Stalon,   Elder  Joseph   L.   (1836-1891), 

cf  Delaware.  This  gifted,  faithful  and 
much  beloved  minister  was  impressed 
with  the  gospel  ministry  before  he 
united    with   the   church.    He    made  a 


public  profession  of  Jesus  when  about 
thirty-eight  years  of  age,  was  soon 
licensed  and  in  1879  was  ordained. 
He  was  soon  called  to  the  care  of 
churches  and  unselfishly  labored  for 
their  peace  and  prosperity  until  his 
death  in  his  fifty-fifth  year  of  age.  As 
a  proof  of  his  pastoral  qualifications 
there  were  in  his  churches  spiritual 
fruits  and  a  steady  growth  of  member- 
ship, while  no  jar  ever  occurred  nor 
the  sound  of  discord  or  dissatisfaction 
was  ever  heard.  It  is  with  regret  that 
a  more  detailed  record  of  Elder  Sta- 
ton's  life  and  labors  cannot  be  given. 


W.  F.  STATON. 

Staton,  Elder  W.  F.,  of  Scotland, 
Neck,  N.  C,  has  for  many  years  been 
a  faithful  minister  of  churches  within 
the  bounds  of  the  old  Kehukee  Asso- 
ciation, and  is  highly  esteemed  for 
the  truth's  sake.  Kind,  tender  and 
affectionate,  he  is  a  comfort  to  Zion 
and  a  lover  of  peace  among  her  chil- 
dren. The  editor  regrets  that  for  lack 
of  sufficient  information  a  more  ex- 
tended notice  could  not  appear  of 
this   useful  minister. 


JUBAL   STEARNS. 

Stearns,  Elder  Jubal.  This  eminent 
servant  of  God  was  born  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  in  the  year  1706.  Early  in  life 
he  was  a  Pedo-Baptist  but  upon  exam- 
ination of  the  word  cf  God  he  became 
convinced  that  to  follow  Jesus  he 
must  be  immersed.  He  was  also  made 
to  see  the  error  of  infant  baptism, 
renounced  such  practices  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Wait  Palmer,  at 
Talland,  Conn.,  1751,  and  was  ordain- 
ed to  the  ministry  the  same  year.  He 
traveled  extensively  and  was  one  of 
the  pioneer  preachers  of  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina,  and  finally  settled  at 
Guilford  Court  House,  N.  G,  where  he 
was  greatly  blessed  of  the  Lord.  A 
church  of  sixteen  members  was  or- 
ganized, known  as  Sandy  Creek, 
which  soon  increased  in  number  to 
about  six  hundred.  The  influence  cf 
this  church  was  great  and  many 
churches  were  soon  built  up  from  this 
small  beginning.  Elder  Stearns  was  a 
man  of  small  stature,  with  but  little 
learning,  but  was  a  gifted  speaker. 
His  voice  was  musical,  his  eye  pene- 
trating and  many  wonderful  conver- 
sions  are  reported  under  his  preach- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


253 


ing.  He  died  in  the  realization  of  a 
Saviour's  love  November  20,  1771,  and 
was  buried  near  Sandy  Creek  meeting 
house. 


JOHN   S.  STEERS. 

Steers,  Elder  John  S.,  of  Dry  Ridge, 
Ky.,  was  born  October  30,  1868,  in 
Grant  County,  Ky.,  of  Wm.  H.  and 
Elizabeth  (Conrad)  Steers,  and  labor- 
ed on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty 
years  of  age,  attending  school  some 
in  the  winter  months.  His  father  gave 
him  his  freedom  at  twenty  and  he  at- 
tended college  until  he  could  get  a 
first-class  certificate  to  teach  school. 
He  taught  school  two  years,  then 
went  to  school  at  Lebanon,  O.,  from 
which  school  he  graduated.  Since  that 
time  he  has  farmed  two  j-ears,  worked 
at  the  carpenter's  trade  one  year,  run 
a  general  store  three  years  and  for 
the  past  five  years  has  been  cashier 
of  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Equity  of  his 
town.  He  united  with  the  Primitive 
or  Old  School  Baptist  Church  in  1886, 
began  preaching  in  1890,  was  ordained 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry  August 
29,  1896,  has  traveled  and  preached  in 
nearly  half  of  the  states  of  the  Unicn, 
and  has  baptiztd  and  married  a  great 
many  people.  E'der  Steers  is  one  of 
the  busiest  of  men.  He  is  at  present 
cashier  of  the  Farmers  Bank  of  Equi- 
ty, member  of  legislature — re-elected 
without  opposition ;  president  of  news- 
paper corporation,  and  connected  with 
other  enterprises  of  his  town.  His 
wife — who  was  Miss  Lena  A.  Bracht — 
to  whom  he  was  married  in  1903,  is 
of  great  assistance  to  her  husband. 
She  is  quite  an  expert  banker,  and  in 
office  work,  can  do  almost  anything 
her  husband  can,  is  interested  in  her 


husband's  ministerial  labors  and 
urges  him  to  attend  his  appointments 
and  to  also  preach  among  the 
churches  as  much  as  possible.  They 
bear  the  gospel  yoke  together  go  far 
as  she  can  enter  into  her  husband's 
labors,  and  to  them  both  it  is  a  labcs* 
of  love. 


PATEN    STEPHENS. 

Stephens,  Elder  Paten,  of  Columbia, 
Mo.,  was  born  in  Rockingham  County, 
N.  C,  in  the  year  of  1777,  and  united 
with  Liberty  Church,  in  Kentucky.  He 
moved  to  Callaway  County,  Mci,  about 
the  year  1820,  and  constituted  Cedar 
Creek  Church,  in  whose  bounds  he  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occur- 
red April  2,  1865.  He  withstood  the 
new  Mission  system  firmly  and  held 
the  esteem  of  his  brethren  to  the 
end.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was 
moderator  of  the  Salem  Association. 
Elder  Stephens  was  a  profound  reas- 
oner,  a  good  orator  and  held  the  re- 
spect of  all  good  men  who  knew  him. 


J.    K.    STEPHENS. 


Stephens,  Elder  J.  K.,  of  Ball  Knob, 
Ark.,  the  third  son  of  Jeremiah  and 
Emaline  Stephens  and  brother  of  Dr. 
Jas.  B.  and  Dr.  (Eld.)  J.  Bunyan 
Stephens  was  born  in  Marshall  Coun- 
ty, January  5,  1838.  He  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Confederate  army  and  a  mem- 
ber of  Gen.  N.  B.  Forest's  escort;  pro- 
fessed a  hope  in  the  Saviour  in  Sep- 
tember, 1866,  and  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  Big  Flat  Creek 
Church  in  Williamson  Ccunty,  Tenn., 
Saturday,    the    last    day   of    1866,    and 


254 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


was  baptized  Sunday  the  first  day  of 
1867,  by  his  father,  Elder  Jeremiah 
Stephens.  Having-  finished  his  course 
in  the  medical  college  at  Nashville,  he 
located  in  1867,  at  Dukesdom,  Tenn., 
and  began  the  practice  of  medicine 
which  he  had  to  give  up  in  1889  on 
account  of  blindness.  Here  he  was 
married  December  6,  1868,  to  Miss 
Bettie  Lovelace,  and  was,  in  1874,  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry by  Elders  W.  A.  Bowden,  N.  W. 
Little,  R.  Ross,  N.  G.  Phillips  and  W. 
P.  O'Kelly.  Elder  Stephens  has  faith- 
fully served  several  churches  during 
his  ministry,  and  has  traveled  and 
preached  in  seventeen  different  states, 
but  in  recent  years  has  refused  to  ac- 
cept the  care  of  churches.  At  present 
he  is  an  invalid,  and  has  been  for  sev- 
eral years,  but  notwithstanding  the 
many  sorrows  and  trials  he  has  passed 
through — as  the  loss  of  five  of  his  six 
children,  the  loss  of  eyesight  and  the 
giving  away  of  health,  he  still  feels 
the  Lord  has  been  good  to  him,  and, 
like  Jacob  of  old,  is  patiently  waiting 
for  God's  salvation.  His  only  living 
child — Mrs.  Ella  S.  Moore,  her  hus- 
band and  their  oldest  son  Stephen — 
are  all  members  of  their  honored  fath- 
er's church;  and  with  this  faithful 
and  pleasant  family  our  aged  brother 
and  his  loyal  companion  are  spending 
the  evening  of  their  life.  Dr.  Steph-  I 
ens  was  a  successful  practitioner 
when  following  his  profession,  has 
been  an  earnest,  able  and  faithful  min- 
ister of  the  New  Testament,  favorably  | 
received  where  he  has  traveled  and  j 
preached  among  Baptists  and  is  high- 
ly esteemed  at  home. 


EDMUND   STEPHENS. 

Stephens,  Elder  Edmund,  of  Erlang- 
er,  Ky.  The  following  brief  notice  of 
Elder  Stephens  is  from  Elder  Potter's 
book  published  1895,  and  is  here  re- 
produced for  want  of  data  from,  which 
to  write  a  more  extended  sketch.  "He 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  on  the  29  th 
day  of  June,  1810,  and  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  and  was 
baptized  on  the  second  Sunday  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1842.  He  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in  1854.  Will  be 
85  years  old  June  29,  1895,  and  is  now 
the  pastor  of  one  church,  and  visits 
several  others  when  the  weather  is 
pleasant."  

J.    BUNYAN   STEPHENS. 

Stephens,  Eider  J.  Bunyan,  of  Nash- 
ville,   Tenn.,    was    born      February    5, 


1836,  united  with  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  in  1854,  was  ordained  to 
the  ministry  August  14,  1859,  and  has 
been  the  paster  of  South  College 
Street  Church  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  for 
over  forty-three  years.  He  has  during 
that  time,  resigned  three  times  only 
to  be  refused  by  the  church  and  again 
called  to  its  care.  And  the   last  time 


J.   BUNYAN   STEPHENS 

he  resigned  he  was  called  by  the 
church  for  the  remainder  of  his  nat- 
ural life.  Ever  since  he  was  ordained, 
and  for  a  short  time  before,  he  has, 
in  connection  with  his  ministerial 
work,  practiced  medicine;  and  for  the 
past  twenty-five  years  has  lectured  in 
the  medical  department  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Tennessee.  Elder  Stephens  is 
an  able  advocate  of  the  doctrine  of 
God  our  Saviour  as  maintained  by  the 
Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptists.  For 
nearly  half  a  century  he  has  preached 
Jesus  the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life; 
nor  has  he  seen  any  reason  to  adul- 
terate the  doctrine  of  grace  or  to 
change  the  order  of  God's  house.  He  is 
satisfied  with  the  practice  of  the  apos- 
tolic church.  To  move  therefrom 
would  not  be  progressive  but  retro- 
gressive, for  their  doctrine  and  their 
practice  is  perfect  and  cannot,  there- 
fore, be  improved.  And  though  Elder 
Stephens  has  passed  his  three  score 
and  ten,  yet  he  is  still  active  and. 
faithful  to  his  charge;  and  his  church, 
is  perhaps,  the  only  one  among  our 
people  in  the  United  States  that  has 
services  every  Sunday  at  11  o'clock 
and  at  night.  The  editor  regrets  that 
he  could  not  obtain  data  for  a  more 
extended  notice  of  the  life  and  labors 
of  this  gifted  and  zealous  laborer  in 
the   Master's   vineyard. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


255 


W.  A.  STEWART. 

Stewart,  Elder  W.  A.,  of  Floyd 
County,  Ky.  After  a  life  of  usefulness 
and  many  years  of  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  truth  in  the  gospel  this  be- 
loved brother  quit  the  shores  of  time 
March  3,  1S93.  He  was  a  good  citizen, 
kind  neighbor,  able  minister,  and 
faithful  to  his  churches,  and  the  editor 
regrets  that  a  more  suitable  notice  of 
his  life  and  labors  could  not  appear. 


G.  W.  STEWART. 


Stewart,  Elder  G.  W.,  of  Akron, 
Hale  County,  Ala.  This  gifted  brother 
was  born  in  Autaugaville,  Ala.,  May 
17,  1S51,  and  raised  by  Christian  pa- 
rents. His  father,  Jeremiah  C.  Stew- 
art, was  a  strict  member,  and  his 
grandfather  was  an  elder  in  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church.  Early  in  youth 
Elder  Stewart  manifested  a  desire  for 
research  and  a  spirit  of  self-righteous- 
ness. In  his  eighteenth  year  he  read  the 
entire  Bible  through,  felt  elated  in  his 
mind  and  exalted  in  his  opinion  of 
himself.  He  would  not  join  any  church 
but  felt  he  could,  at  any  time,  become 
a  Christian,  which  he  fully  intended 
tci  do  before  he  died,  but  wanted  to 
wait  until  a  more  convenient  season. 
When  he  heard  the  Primitive  Baptists 
preach  he  was  perfectly  astonished  at 
what  he  considered  their  doctrine,  and 
was  one  of  the  most  bitter  and  deter- 
mined enemies  of  the  doctrine  of  sal- 
vation by  grace.  He  not  only  did  not 
believe  the  doctrine  but  abhored  it, 
and  was  determined  to  never  believe 
it.  He  felt  real  sorry  and  truly  asham- 
ed for  anybody  to  know  that  he  had 


relatives  that  were  so  weak  and  igno- 
rant as  to  believe  such  doctrine.  But 
in  the  fall  of  1871,  unexpectedly  to 
himself,  he  was  convinced  of  the 
truthfulness  of  the  doctrine,  but  was 
never  able  to  claim  a  hope  till  the 
spring  of  1873.  He  was  as  completely 
turned  about  in  his  views  and  opin- 
ions, likes  and  dislikes  as  was  the 
Apostle  Paul.  In  1873  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Catharine  Elmira  Allen,  of 
Hale  County,  daughter  of  Elder  J.  T. 
Allen,  and  he  and  wife  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Nebo, 
Bibb  County,  in  1874,  and  were  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Allen.  In  1882  he  was 
licensed  and  in  1885  was  ordained  by 
Elders  R.  F.  Papasan,  J.  D.  McElroy, 
and  J.  T.  Stewart,  and  has  since  had 
the  care  of  churches,  having  served 
Providence,  the  church  of  his  mem- 
bership continuously  since  his  ordina- 
tion. Elder  Stewart  is  a  strong  writer, 
was  for  sometime  associate  editor  of 
the  Gospel  Messenger  and  has  writ- 
ter  two  books  that  have  been  well 
received  among  Baptists,  entitled, 
"Order  and  Disorder,"  and  "The  Two 
Witnesses."  These  books  are  full  of 
wholesome  instruction  and  valuable 
information,  and  shows  the  Biblical 
knowledge  and  general  information 
possessed  by  their  author. 


J.  M.  STEWART. 

Stewart,  Elder  J.  M.  (1839-1904),  of 
Texas.  Elder  Stewart  was  born  in 
Georgia,  and  in  1865  was  married  to 
Miss  Fannie  Patillo  of  Marietta,  Ga. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  eleven 
children.  In  1891  he  moved  to  Texas 
and  lived  in  this  state  until  his  death 
— thirteen  years  later.  He  was  ordain- 
ed ab'iut  1866  and  served  churches 
both  in  Georgia  and  Texas.  He  was 
an  able  minister.  His  discourses  were 
pointed,  forcible,  instructive  and  gen- 
tle, and  it  is  with  regret  that  a  more 
detailed  notice  of  Elder  Stewart  could 
not  be  given. 


BENNETT  STEWART. 

Stewart,  Elder  Bennett,  of  Georgia, 
was  born  in  Warren  County,  Septem- 
ber 15,  1822,  and  died  at  his  home  in 
Taylor  Ccmnty,  February  15,  1897,  of 
general  debility  of  body  and  mind. 
Elder  Stewart  was  well  and  favorably 
known  in  his  section  of  the  country, 
having  lived  here  about  a  half  cen- 
tury. He  kept  himself  well  posted  on 
all  points  of  public  interest,  and,  being 


256 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


freely  communicative,  his  views  and 
opinions  were  sought  generally  by 
others  and  highly  regarded,  even  by 
those  who  differed  with  him.  He  was 
a  man  of  far  more  than  ordinary 
mind,  and  "where  much  is  given  much 
is  required,"  and  with  the  gift  invari- 
ably comes  the  responsibility.  This 
Elder  Stewart  sensibly  felt,  and  he 
therefore  was  never  vain,  but  invari- 
ably humbled,  when  preferred  or  pro- 
moted, which  favors  his  neighbors  and 
fellcw-eitizens  delighted  to  confer 
upon  him.  He  could,  indeed,  be  hon- 
ored by  men,  because  God  had  honor- 
ed him.  Therefore,  if  he  was  chosen 
as  literary  teacher  or  as  orator  of  the 
day  on  occasions  of  interest  or  to  rep- 
resent his  county,  all  were  delighted, 
himself  humbled,  and  the  expectations 
of  his  friends  not  disappointed;  for  he 
always  proved  himself  worthy  and  suf- 
ficient for  the  occasion.  Such  was  his 
unusual,  exemplary  life  and  unusual 
usefulness.  But  above  all,  and  better 
than  all,  Christ  was  revealed  to  him 
as  his  Saviour,  and,  in  obedience  to 
the  command  of  his  Saviour,  he  unit- 
ed with  the  church  at  Prosperity  in 
1866,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  J. 
Rowe.  He  was  chosen  clerk  of  the 
church  in  1867,  and  chosen  deacon  in 
1869.  But  the  church  soon  discovered 
in  him  what  they  considered  the  gift 
of  teaching  and  comforting  the  saints, 
and  accordingly  liberated  him  to  ex- 
ercise that  gift  as  he  felt  impressed. 
He  was,  in  1879,  ordained  by  Elders 
John  Rowe,  J.  R.  Respess  and  J.  G. 
Murray.  This  was  an  obligation 
which  made  him  exceedingly  fear  and 
quake.  Elder  Stewart  was  abundantly 
blessed  with  those  special  graces 
which  so  much  adorn  the  profession 
he  made — meekness,  lowliness  of  heart 
and  mind,  forbearance,  brotherly  kind- 
ness, resignation  to  the  will  of  God, 
without  murmuring,  either  at  birth  or 
death,  heat  or  cold,  prosperity,  or  ad- 
versity,  sickness   or   health. 


J.  T.  STEWART. 


Stewart,  Elder  J.  T.,  of  Tennessee, 
was  born  August  11,  1848,  in  Jones 
County,  Ga.  In  early  childhood  he 
moved  with  his  parents — Jeremiah 
and  Nancy  Stewart — to  Alabama, 
where  he  lived  until  1904,  when  he 
moved  to  Beaver's  Creek,  Tenn.  When 
six  or  seven  years  of  age  he  was  made 
to  realize  the  solemnity  and  fearfu'- 
ness  of  death  and  would  often  resort 
to  a  certain  place  nearby  to  try  to 
pray.   These   feelings  eventually   wore 


away  as  he  became  mere  infatuated 
with  the  world.  When  about  fourteen 
years  old  he  ran  away  from  his  pa- 
rents and  joined  the  Confederate 
army  where  he  remained  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  It  was,  while  in  the 
last  engagement  in  the  early  part  of 
'65  while  the  missiles  of  death  were 
flying  thick  and  fast,  that  he  was 
deeply  convicted  of  sin  and  made  to 
mourn  on  account  of  it.  When,  some- 
time afterward,  this  burden  was  re- 
moved he  had  a  strong  desire  to 
unite  with   the   church,   which  he  did 


J.   T.   STEWART 

at  Providence,  Hale  County,  Ala.,  in 
1868.  Soon  he  was  made  to  realize 
that  there  were  other  duties  for  him 
to  perform.  The  church  discovered  his 
gift,  and  he  was  soon  licensed,  and 
in  1881  was  ordained  by  Eiders  J.  J. 
Akers,  H.  J.  Redd  and  C.  Whitworth. 
He  has  since  had  the  care  of  churches 
— a  part  ofi  the  time  serving  five,  is 
sound  in  the  faith,  and  zealous  in  the 
cause  of  truth.  In  early  life  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Rebecca  Tommay, 
daughter  of  Elder  Hiram  Tommay, 
and  the  Lord  has  blessed  them  to  rear 
ten  children.. 


JAMES    STINNETT. 


Stinett,  Elder  James,  of  Texas,  was 
born  December  4,  1817,  in  Marion 
County,  Tenn.,  and  was  the  son  ol 
Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Stinnett.  He 
joined  Clarks  Creek  Church  in  Hen- 
derson County,  Tenn.,  in  1846  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  James  Beaver. 
In  1865  he  moved  to  Texas  and  set- 
tled in  Hopkins  County.  Elder  Stin- 
nett was  a  man  of  sterling  character. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


257 


As  a  husband  he  was  faithful  and 
true;  as  a  father  he  was  firm,  oui 
gentle  and  kind;  as  a  minister  cf 
the  gospel  he  was  bold  for  the  truth, 
yet  so  sweet,  kind  and  gentle.,  and  it 
is  with  regret  that  a  more  complete 
sketch  of  his  useful  life  could  not  be 
given.  ■ — 


GEORGE    Y.    STIPP. 

Stipp,  Elder  George  Y.,  of  Pulaski, 
111.,  was  born  in  Warren  County,  O., 
April  13,  1S26,  and  died  October  23. 
18S6.  He  was  of  German  de- 
scent. His  grandparents  settled  and 
lived  in  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia. 
As  a  boy  he  manifested  a  thirst  for 
knowledge  and  became  a  prominent 
teacher,  which  profession  he  followed 
until  about  187G.  He  was  also  a  suc- 
cessful farmer  and  gave  much  study 
to  law  and  became  well  versed  in  its 
fundamentals,  though  he  did  not  fol- 
low the  profession  as  a  practitioner. 
He  was  married  three  times — 
first  to  Miss  America  A.  Smith. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  nine 
children.  His  second  wife  was  Miss 
Mary  E.  Hughes,  and  after  her 
death  in  1871,  he  was  in  1875,  married 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  H.  Hursey.  He 
united  with  Hopewell  Church  in  Ver- 
million County,  Ind.,  1870,  and  began 
preaching  the  same  year,  and  was  or- 
dained in  1S75  by  Elders  J.  A.  Jclm- 
son,  James  Ring  and  Pallas  McCoy, 
and  until  his  death  was  a  faithful  min- 
ister. Elder  Stipp  was  a  strong  debater, 
and  his  willingness  to  defend  the  prin- 
ciples of  salvation  and  all  Bible  truths 
paved  the  way  for  several  religious 
discussions,  in  all  of  which  he  mani- 
fested much  Biblical  knowledge  and 
ability.  His  last  discussion  was  held 
at  Kenney,  111.,  in  1886.  His  opponent 


was  W.  B.  F.  Treat,  of  Bloomington, 
Ind.,  of  the  "Disciples  of  Christ."  Mr, 
Treat  came  very  highly  recommended 
by  the  brotherhood  of  his  faith.  The 
subjects  discussed  embraced,  total  de- 
pravity, the  quickening"  of  sinners  (the 
written  word  the  essential  means), 
baptism  essential  to  the  remission  of 
sins,  and  church  identity.  The  St. 
Joseph  correspondence  of  the  Cham- 
paign Signal  had  this  to  say:  "For  the 
past  week  or  so  the  village  of  Ken- 
ney, 111.,  has  been  convulsed  over  a 
series  of  religious  debates  between  G. 
Y.  Stipp,  of  Vermillion  County,  111., 
and  Rev.  W.  B.  F.  Treat,  of  Blooming- 
ton,  Ind.  This  discussion  ended  the 
other  day,  and  the  logic  used  by  Mr. 
Stipp  was  so  overwhelmingly  superior 
to  that  used  by  his  antagonist  that  he 
was  universally  declared  to  be  the 
champion  in  the  debate.  The  people 
of  Kenney  had  manifested  so  much  in- 
terest in  the  matter,  that  when  the 
debate  closed  a  number  of  the  promi- 
nent citizens  of  the  place,  non-church- 
members,  showed  their  appreciation 
of  the  talent  of  Elder  Stipp  by  club- 
bing together  and  presenting  him  with 
a  handsome  gold-headed,  ebony  cane. 
Miss  Sallie  Turner  made  the  presen- 
tation speech,  in  which  Mx.  Stipp  was 
warmly  thanked  for  his  gentlemanly 
demeanor  during  the  discussion,  and 
for  the  ability  with  which  he  handled 
the  subjects." 


JOHN    STIPP. 

Stipp,    Elder  John,   of  Oregon,   was 
born  in  Berkeley  County,  Va.,  Novem- 


258 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


ber  10,  1806,  and  moving  to  Illinois  in 
the  year  1832,  there  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists.  He  removed  to  Or- 
egon in  1848,  and  was  there  ordained 
in  1853,  in  Siloam  Church.  He  was  a 
good  writer  and  was  mighty  in  the 
Scriptures.  He  died  November  23, 
1892.  Further  information  of  this  use- 
ful minister's  life  and  labors  could  not 
be  obtained  by  the  editcr. 


W.   B.  STRICKLAND. 

Strickland,  Elder  W.  B.,  of  Scotland 
Neck,  N.  C.  This  worthy  brother  was 
born  June  16,  1848.  In  early  manhooa 
he  was  convicted  of  sin  and  in  his 
twenty-eighth  year  of  age  was  given 
a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  as  his  sin-bear- 
er. During  the  same  year — 1876 — he 
went  home  to  his  friends  at  Law- 
rence's Church,  Edgecombe  County 
N.  C,  and  told  them  what  great  things 
the  Lord  had  done  for  him,  was  re- 
ceived and  baptized  by  Elder  W.  F. 
Bell.  Not  long  after  this  he  was  bur- 
dened with  the  duty  of  preaching 
Jesus  to  others,  but  unlike  Paul,  he 
conferred  with  flesh  and  blood,  and  sc 
unworthily  did  he  feel  and  so  unqual- 
ified did  he  deem  himself  for  the  min- 
isterial wcrk  that  he  endeavored  to 
keep  the  secret  in  his  own  bosom, 
earnestly  plead  with  the  Lord  to  re 
lieve  him  of  the  impression  and  felt 
that  he  would  rather  die  than  try  to 
preach.  But  God  made  him  willing  and 
he  was,  in  1889  licensed,  and  soon 
thereafter  ordained,  and  has  since 
had  the  care  of  churches.  Elder 
Strickland  is  highly  regarded  by  his 
brethren,  is  sound  in  the  faith  and  is 
a    comforting    experimental    preacher. 


JAMES  STRICKLAND. 

Strickland,  Elder  James,  of  Fort 
Branch,  Ind.,  was  born  in  the  state  of 
Indiana,  on  the  27th  day  of  October, 
1818;  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church,  about  the  year  1838,  and  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry 
about  the  year  1845.  He  was  very 
zealous  in  the  building  up  of  churches 
and  there  was  a  period  of  ten  years 
in  his  life  that  he  was  in  a  revival. 
He  baptized  one  thousand  people  dur- 
ing his  ministry,  He  was  strong  in  the 
faith  of  the  atonement,  and  was  a 
man  of  great  piety  and  of  good  gen- 
eral information.  When  he  died  in  Oc- 
tober, 1890,  he  was  pastor  cf  Fort 
Branch  Church  and  was  greatly  loved 
by  his  brethren.  His  labors  were  most- 
ly confined  to  the  churches  of  the  Sa- 
lem Association  where  his  efforts 
were  greatly  blessed. 


RUBEN    T.   STRICKLER. 

Strickler,  Elder  Ruben  T.,  of  Luray, 
Va.  This  good-natured,  deserving  and 
worthy  brother  is  the  pastor  of 
Brock's  Gap,  Big  Spring,  Bentonville. 
and  Thornton's  Gap  churches.  (The 
last  named  church  was,  many  years 
ago,  the  home  church  of  Wm.  Jen- 
nings Bryan's  grandparents,  and  their 
grandson,  in  1896,  presented  the  old 
church  with  two  chairs  in  memory  ot 
them.)  Brother  Strickler  was  born 
August  9,  1854,  and  in  early  youth  was 
convicted  of  sin  and  given  a  sweet 
hope  in  Jesus,  but  for  many  years  he 
remained  out  of  the  church  awaiting 
more  evidence,  and  also,  on  account 
of  a  feeling     sense   of  unworthiness, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


259 


and  before  his  baptism  had  impres- 
sions to  preach.  He  united  with  the 
church  in  1879,  baptized  by  Elder  P. 
W.  Yates,  licensed  1883,  and  was  in 
1887  ordained  by  Elders  P.  Wl  Yates, 
J.  H.  Menifee,  Benj.  Lampton  and  F. 
M.  Perry.  Besides  the  above  named 
churches  Elder  Strickler  has  served 
Hope  Church  in  Warren  and  Smith's 
Creek  in  Shenandoah.  He  is  an  hum- 
ble, unassuming,  faithful  minister — 
as  honest  as  the  days  are  long,  and 
prefers  others  to  himself,  and  is  a 
great  lover  of  peace.  He  has  never 
traveled  much,  his  labors  being  con- 
fined tc  churches  within  the  bounds 
of  the  Ebenezer  and  Ketocton  Associa- 
tions. 


A.  J.  STUART. 

Stuart,  Elder  A.  J.  (1823-1895),  was 
born  in  Monroe  County,  Ga. ;  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Scott  County, 
'Miss.,  in  1843  and  in  1846  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Elizabeth  Mathews.  He 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists 
at  New  Chappel  Church  1856,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  J.  G.  Creceluis.  In 
1870  he  was  crdained  and  faithfully 
filled  this  office  until  his  death.  By 
economy  and  close  attention  to  bus- 
iness he  was  enabled  to  leave  a  com- 
fortable living  to  those  dependent 
upon  him,  but  better  still,  he  left  a 
good  name  "which  is  rather  to  be 
chosen  than  great  riches."  Amid  all 
trial  and  suffering  he  manifested 
Christian  fortitude  and  a  faith  in 
God's  gocdness  that  never  wavered, 
and  died  as  a  faithful  witness  of 
Jesus. 


DAVID  STUART. 

Stuart.  Elder  David  (1822-1892),  was 
born  in  Illinois,  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Church  when  a  young 
man  and  was  ordained  in  1863.  He 
was  a  faithful  pastor  and  the  editor 
regrets  that  a  suitable  sketch  of  his 
life  and  labors  could  not  be  obtained 
for  this  work. 

OWEN    SUMNER. 

Sumner,  Elder  Owen  (1796-1874), 
was  a  native  of  Floyd  County,  Va.  Of 
his  early  history  the  writer  knows 
nothing  except  that  with  all  Adam's 
family  he  was  conceived  in  sin  and 
brought  forth  in  iniquity,  and  contin- 
ued to  rcll  sin  under  his  tongue  as  a 


sweet  morsel  until  arrested  by  the 
Spirit  of  God;  when,  he  viewed  him- 
self the  worst  of  mankind,  and  moan- 
ed his  condition  for  many  days,  when 
it  pleased  the  Lord  to  manifest  his 
love  to  him  in  the  pardon  of  his  sins. 
He  then  was  enable  to  rejoice  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  He 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  at  West  Fork,  in  Floyd  Coun 
ty,  Va.,  Sunday,  March  17,  1822,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Jesse  Jones. 
He  lived  with  the  church  in  peace  and 
enjoyed  their  confidence  and  fellow- 
ship, and  September,  1832,  the  church 
licensed  him  to  preach  the  gospel  of 
Christ.  He  went  forward  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duty  with  great  fear 
and  trembling,  often  doubting  his 
call;  but,  to  use  his  own  words — he 
felt  unable  to  preach,  but  could  not 
remain  silent,  but  was  often  praying 
to  the  Lord  to  direct  him  what  to  do, 
and  as  the  impression  deepened  he 
continued  to  exercise  his  gift  in  the 
ministry,  not  without  opposition  from 
the  enemies,  until  September  3,  1836, 
when  having  made  full  proof  of  his 
ministry  and  usefulness  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  functions  of  the 
ministry,  and  went  forward  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  ordinances  of  the 
house  of  God.  Elder  Sumner  certainly 
made  full  proof  of  his  ministry.  He 
had  but  a  limited  education,  but  by 
close  application  to  study  he  acquired 
considerable  knowledge  of  books.  He 
traveled  considerably,  in  Virginia 
mostly,  and  preached  Jesus  and  him 
crucified,  with  power.  Several 
churches  were  built  up  under  his  min- 
istry. He  was  pastor  of  Indian  Creek, 
New  River  Meadow  Creek,  White  Oak 
Grove  and  Laurel  Creek  churches,  un- 
til age  and  infirmities  prevented  him 
from  serving  Lhem.  The  Lord  added 
many  seals  to  his  ministry — among 
the  number  he  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  five  or  six  of  the  members  of 
the  churches  which  he  served  embark 
in  the  ministry  and  rise  to  distinction 
among  the  Baptists.  Among  them,  one 
of  his  sons  (but  his  ministry  was 
short,  as  he  died  several  years  before 
his  father.)  Elder  Sumnei  often  spoke 
of  the  young  ministers  as  his  sons  in 
the  ministry,  and  treated  them  as 
such,  often  encouraging  them,  and 
both  by  precept  and  example,  admon- 
ishing them  to  be  faithful  and  humble 
in  the  discharge  of  their  duties.  He 
did  not  envy  them  but  appeared  tc  be 
happy  in  their  company,  always  set- 
ting them  forward  and  never  appear- 
ed more  happy  than  when  they  were 
enabled  to  preach  comfortingly.  He 
was   a   good     disciplinarian      and   the 


260 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


churches  over  which  he  was  pastor 
loved  him  for  his  firmness,  He  was 
useful  in  his  neighborhood  as  a  peace- 
maker and  also  as  a  physician,  having 
acquired  considerable  knowledge  of 
medicine,  and  by  industry  he  acquired 
a  competent  living  and  his  house  was 
a  home  for  his  brethren  and  friends. 
Just  before  his  departure  he  said:  "I 
am  waiting  for  my  Master's  time,  to 
go!  I  am  ready  when  it  is  His  pleas- 
ure to  call."  In  his  death  his  wife 
lost  an  affectionate  companion,  his 
children  a  loving  father,  the  churches 
a  wise  counsellor  and  faithful  pastor. 


W.  B.  SUTHERLAND. 

Sutherland,  Elder  W.  B.,  of  Tiny, 
Va.,  was  born  near  Colley,  Dickenson 
(then  Buchanan)  County,  Va.,  Febru- 
ary 24,  1861.  His  parents  were  William 
and  Sylvia  (Counts)  Sutherland,  who 
came  as  pioneers  from  Clinch  Valley, 
Va.,  over  Sandy  Ridge  to  the  head- 
waters cf  Big  Sandy  River  over  fifty 
years  ago,  and  who  are  still  living 
near  their  old  homestead.  His  family 
has  been  long  and  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  Primitive  Baptists. 
During  his-  youth,  he-  followed  the 
usual  life  ofl  a  mountain  boy,  going  to 
the  old  "subscription"  and  free 
schools  for  a  few  weeks  during  the 
winter  and  the  remainder  of  the  time 
doing  labor  on  a  farm.  He  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  Sulphur  Spring 
Church,  Dickenson  County,  Va  ,  of 
which  church  he  is  still  a  member, 
was  ordained  in  1884  by  Elders  J.  H. 
Duty  and  Elijah  S.  Counts,  and  has 
continued  in  this  work  unremittingly 
and  faithfully  till  the  present  day.  For 


several  years,  he  has  been  the  only 
minister  in  his  community,  and  has 
had  the  care  of  four  or  more  churches 
almost  continuously  and  is  at  present 
serving  the  following  churches:  Sul- 
phur Spring  and  Sand  Lick  in  Dicken- 
son County;  Sumac  Grove  and  Duty's 
View,  in  Buchanan  County;  and 
Reed's  Valley,  in  Russell  County.  His 
brethren,  recognizing  his  talents,  and 
love  for  the  cause  elected  him  in  1879, 
Moderator  of  the  Washington  Asso- 
ciation (an  organization  of  the  Prim- 
itive faith,  formed  in  1811  and  em- 
bracing some  of  the  most  prosperous 
churches  of  that  faith  in  southwest 
Virginia),  in  which  position  he  still 
serves.  Elder  Sutherland's  activities 
have  not  been  confined  alone  to  the 
ministry,  but  he  has  been,  for  several 
years,  an  important  figure  in  the  pub- 
lic life  of  his  county, — serving  several 
terms  as  supervisor  of  his  district, 
and  also  a  member  of  the  Virginia 
legislature  for  the  session  of  1895-6. 
He  is  honored  as  a  loyal  citizen,  es- 
teemed as  a  kind  neighbor  and  be- 
loved as  a  faithful  pastor  and  able 
minister  of  the  New  Testament. 


JOHN    A.   SUTTLES. 

Suttles,  Elder  John  A.,  of  Alabama, 
was  born  in  Bibb  County,  Ala.,  May 
12,  1826.  He  for  years  served  his  coun- 
ty as  justice  of  the  peace,  county 
treasurer,  and  representative  in  the 
general  assembly  of  Alabama.  He  was 
first  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  E.  Bent- 
ley,  and  subsequently  to  Miss  Mbllie 
J.  Carlisle.  He  first  joined  the  Mis- 
sionary Baptists  in  1854,  and  lived  a 
consistent  member  with  them  until 
August,  1875,  when  he  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Bethel  in 
Coosa  County,  Ala.,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  B.  Jowers.  He  shortly  after- 
wards moved  his  membership  to  Mt. 
Pleasant  Church,  and  in  1878,  he  was 
ordained  to  the  gospel  ministry,  the 
presbytery  consisting  of  Elders  B. 
Jowers,  J.  M.  Dykes,  J.  M.  Blackman, 
L.  C.  Peters,  and  R.  W.  Carlisle.  In 
his  latter  days,  having  been  stricken 
with  paralysis,  he  was  afflicted  long 
and  suffered  much,  but,  sustained  by 
the  grace  of  God,  was  perfectly  re- 
signed to  His  will  and  when  the  sum- 
mons came  ne  passed  away  as  calmly 
as  the  evening  setting  sun,  thus  show- 
ing to  those  left  behind  how  bravely 
and  gloriously  a  Christian  can  die. 
He  was  full  measure  in  all  that  is  re- 
quired in  constituting  a  good  citizen, 
an  honest  man,  a  loving  father,  a  de- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


261 


voted  husband,  and  an  humble,  faith- 
ful Christian.  He  exemplified  by  his 
daily  walk  that  he  was  ever  ready  to 
conform  to  that  which  was  just  and 
right,  thereby  gaining  the  confidence 
and  commanding  the  esteem  of  nearly 
all  who  knew  him  for  his  strict  in- 
tegrity of  character  and  quiet  life. 


JONAS    F.   SUTTON. 

Sutton,  Elder  Jonas  F.,  of  Paris  Mo., 
was  born  in  Miami  County,  O.,  June  1, 
1837,  and  united  with  Walnut  Creek 
Church,  near  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  Feb- 
ruary 13,  1869.  He  moved  to  Missouri  in 
the  year  1870  and  was  ordained  in  Ced- 
ar Grove  Church  near  Paris,  Mo.  in  De- 


cember, 1888.  His  orderly  walk,  devo- 
tion to  the  cause  of  his  Master,  and 
good  gift  in  the  ministry,  make  him 
useful  to  the  churches  which  he  serves 
and  it  is  with  regret  that  data  for  a 
fuller  sketch  of  this  worthy  Elder's 
life  could  not  be  obtained. 


JAMES  T.  SWINNEY. 

Swinney,  Elder  James  T.,  of  La- 
F'ountain,  Kan.,  was  born  in  West 
Virginia,  August  24,  1832,  and  united 
with  Camp  Creek  Church  in  Mercer 
County  of  that  state  in  December, 
1866.  He  was  ordained  in  the  year 
1869,,  and  ever  since  has  served  as 
pastor  of  churches.  A  fuller  sketch  of 
his  labors  in  the  ministry  could  not 
be  secured. 


FREDERICK    SWINT. 

Swint,  Elder  Frederick  (1789-1860), 
of  Alabama,  was  in  early  life  convict- 
ed of  sin,  given  a  hope  in  the  merito- 
rious work  of  Jesus,  united  with  the 
Baptists  and  a  few  years  later  was  or- 
dained to  the  gospel  ministry.  He  was 
consdered  an  able  preacher,  sound  in 
the  faith  and  full  of  hospitality,  and 
his  home  was  always  open  to  his 
brethren.  It  vas  his  custom  to  hold 
family  prayer  each  night  when  at 
home.  He  was  gifted  as  a  writer  also. 
Hymn  No.  690  of  Lloyd's  Collection 
is  his  composition.  He  raised  a  family 
of  sixteen  children,  was  a  man  of  gen- 
eral information  and  wide^  influence 
and  died  as  he  lived— trusting  in  the 
all-sufficient  atonement  of  Jesus  for 
salvation. 


CHARLES   S.    TATE. 

Tate,  Elder  Charles  S.  (1811-1888), 
of  Kansas.  He  was  born  in  Bedford 
County,  Va ,  and  was  received  into 
the  fellowship  of  the  Baptists  before 
the  division  when  he  was  about  twen- 
ty-two years  old.  About  1847  he  moved 
from  Virginia  to  Alabama.  Some  of 
the  brethren  had  learned  by  con- 
versing with  him  that  he  had  exercis- 
ed in  preaching  a  little  before  leaving 
Virginia,  and  insisted  that  he  should 
go  into  the  pulpit  and  preach  which  he 
did  very  satisfactorily  from  the  text, 
Hebrew     2.9.       Soon     after     this     he 


became  a  member  with  the  brethren 
at  Shawn,  in  Chambers  County,  Ala., 
which  church  was  then  under  the  pas- 
toral care  of  Elder  Josephus  Barrow. 
Some  time  after  this  he  moved  and 
became  a  member  of  the  church  at 
Hephzibah,  in  same  county,  and  by 
request  of  sister  churches  for  his  pas- 
toral services,  he  was  ordained  and 
had  for  a  time,  the  pastoral  charge  cf 
two  churches.  But  being  poor  in  the 
world  and  a  tanner  by  trade,  he  had 
to  move  about  to  get  work,  and  thus 
his  ministerial  work  became  more 
transient  and  unsettled  till  finally  he 
settled  in  Kansas.  Elder  Tate  was  re- 


262 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


garded  as  a  sound  and  consistent  min- 
ister— not  only  sound  in  doctrine,  but 
was  faithful,  zealous  and  orderly  in 
his   deportment. 


A.  J.  TAYLOR. 

Taylor,  Elder  A.  J.  (1820-1904),  of 
North  Caronna.  This  venerable  minis- 
ter of  western  North  Carolina,  died  at 
his  heme  in  Alleghany  County,  in  his 
eighty-fourth  year  of  age.  He  was  fa- 
miliarly known  as  "Andy"  Taylor,  and 
was,  of  course,  named  Andrew  Jack- 
son, and  he  had  in  his  makeup  the 
sturdiness  and  independence  of  Old 
Hickory.  He  had  not  been  taught  in 
the  colleges  of  this  earth,  but  he  was 
deeply  versed  in  "The  Book"  and  to 
him  "thus  sayeth  the  Lcrd"  was  the 
final  arbiter  of  every  question  that  af- 
fected this  life  and  the  life  beyond. 
His  Bible  was  his  constant  companion 
in  his  long  journeyings  over  this  and 
other  states,  where  he  went  on  yearly 
pilgrimages  preaching  the  gospel.  He 
lived  in  it  and  with  it.  It  was  the  staff 
of  his  declining  years  as  it  had  been 
the  strength  and  stay  of  his  robust 
manhood.  The  life  of  Elder  Taylor 
contained  lessons  for  the  present  hour 
that  need  to  be  emphasized.  He  be- 
longed to  a  day  that  gave  us  many 
noble  characters — a  day  that  produced 
men  of  simple  faith,  simple  tastes, 
unaffected  piety,  of  plain  living  and 
right  thinking.  An  humble,  uneducat- 
ed farmer,  high  en  the  slopes  of  the 
hills  of  Alleghany,  this  old  patriarch 
heard  the  call  to  preach  the  gospel  as 
plainly  as  ever  one  of  Cod's  prophets 
of  old  was  called  to  do  His  work. 
Taking  neither  scrip  nor  purse,  Andy 
Taylor  put  aside  frcm  him  ease,  the 
comforts  of  home,  and  for  many  years 
devoted  much  of  his  life  to  travelling 
and  preaching  wherever  a  flock  of  the 
faithful  wished  to  hear  him  preach. 
He  travelled  in  many  counties  and 
states.  He  preached  not  with  "man's 
wisdom"  but  in  "demonstration  of  the 
spirit"  and  was  instrumental  in  com- 
forting and  blessing  many  of  God's 
elect  who  sat  under  his  ministrations. 
The  educated  found  help  and  guid- 
ance in  his  plain  proclamation  of  the 
Word;  the  uneducated  saw  in  him  an 
evangel  sent  to  break  to  them  the 
Word  cf  Life.  Elder  Taylor  clung  to 
the  old  ways  and  the  ancient  land- 
marks, in  dress,  in  speech,  in  every- 
thing. He  never  felt  embarrassed  in 
any  presence.  He  would  have  preach- 
ed before  a  king  as  unabashed  as  Paul 
stood  before  Agrippa.  He  was  the  am- 


bassador of  his  Lord  and  knew  no 
fear  of  man  or  bowing  down  in  the 
presence  cf  great  men.  He  had  about 
him  the  spirit  of  the  prophet  who 
said:  "Thou  are  the  man,"  and  he 
never  preached  to  please  man,  but  he 
preached  as  his  Master  directed  him, 
and  declared  the  whole  counsels  of 
God.  It  was  a  conviction  of  this  good 
old  man  that  he  cught  not  to  accept, 
any  compensation  for  preaching.  He 
would  have  felt  that  he  had  commit- 
ted sin  to  receive  a  salary  for  preacn- 
ing,  and  so  he  went  about  among  his 
people  preaching  until  beyond  his 
eightieth  year.  He  lived  up  to  his  con- 
victions in  this  and  in  every  other 
respect.  His  good  old  wife,  now  bereft 
in  her  humble  home  in  the  mountains, 
was  an  helpmeet  of  the  kind  the 
Bible  describes.  She  honored  her  hus- 
band because  he  was  never  "disobe- 
dient to  the  heavenly  vision."  She 
gloried  in  his  independence  and  in  his 
services  to  the  churches.  She  believed 
it  would  be  wrong  for  her  husband  to 
charge  for  preaching.  Talking  one  day 
with  a  friend,  she  held  up  her  hands 
and  said:  "Do  you  see  these  olo. 
hands?  I  would  work  them  to  the 
bone  before  my  old  man  should  take 
pay  for  preaching."  She  tended  her 
garden,  milked  her  cows,  and  per- 
formed the  laborious  duties  of  her 
household  in  cheerfulness  and  in  hap- 
piness looking  forward  joyously  to  the 
time  when  her  husband  should  return 
from  his  annual  preaching  tours,  to. 
the  delights  of  home,  made  doubly 
dear  tc  both  by  the  consciousness 
that  the  separation  had  been  ordered 
of  God,  as  was  every  act  of  their 
lives.  How  beautiful  is  such  faith  in  a 
world  where  materialism  threatens  to 
crowd  out  faith  in  God  and  lessen 
faith  in  man. 


HENRY  TAYLOR. 

Taylor,  Elder  Henry,  of  Monroe,  N. 
C,  was  born  May  27,  1851,  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Va.  His  parents  were 
members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist,  but 
he,  in  his  seventeenth  year,  united 
with  the  New  School,  or  Missionary 
Baptists  and  lived  with  them  four 
years.  About  this  time  he  was  deeply 
impressed  to  preach  Jesus  and  be- 
came a  close  student  of  the  Bible. 
What  he  learned  there  of  doctrine  and 
practice  was  so  different  to  that  of  his 
brethren  that  he  left  their  church  and 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists  at 
Tumbling  Creek  Washington  Co.,  Va., 
1874,    and   was   baptized  by   Elder   C. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


263 


Hopkins.  He  began  preaching  the 
same  year  and  was  in  1876  ordained 
by  Elders  John  Wallace,  Chas.  Hop- 
kins, J.  T.  Stinson  and  Thos.  Grimsley, 
and  has  since  had  the  care  of  churches 
or  been  traveling  and  preaching.  He 
has  traveled  thousands  of  miles,  most- 


HENRY  TAYLOR 

ly  in  Virginia,  Tennessee,  North  Caro- 
lina, and  South  Carolina.  He  is,  at 
present,  serving  the  following 
churches:  High  Hill,  Union  Grove, 
Crooked  Creek  and  Liberty,  all  of 
Union  County.  Elder  Taylor  is  zealous 
and  faithful  and  the  Lord  Is  blessing 
his  labors. 


T.  J.  TAYLOR. 


Taylor,  Elder  T.  J.,  of  Eaglesville, 
Tenn.  This  able  minister  is  moderator 
of  the  Cumberland  Association  of 
Primitive  Baptists  and  the  faithful  pas- 
tor of  churches  within  the  bounds  of 
this   association. 


W.  J.  TAYLOR. 

Taylor,  Elder,  W.  J.,  of  Garfield, 
Ark.  This  faithful  minister  was  con- 
victed of  sin  when  about  seventeen 
years  old,  and  for  several  years  was 
greatly  burdened  on  account  of  it. 
But  God,  at  a  time  unexpected  to  him, 
relieved  him  of  this  burden  and  gave 
him,  by  revelation,  a  sweet  hope  in 
Jesus.  Soon  after  this  he  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  J.  Good.  Almost  im- 
mediately a  desire  to  tell  others  of 
Jesus  came  in  his  heart,  which  could 
never  be  satisfied  until  he  went  for- 


ward in  this  duty.  He  was  soon  or- 
dained to  the  work  and  has  since  prov- 
en his  faith  by  his  works.  Has  travel- 
ed   and    preached    much    among    the 


W.    J.    TAYLOR 


churches  of  his  section,  has  baptized  a 
goodly  number  into  the  fellowship  of 
the  Baptists  and  at  present  has  the 
care  of  four  churches. 


BURWELL  TEMPLE. 

Temple,  Elder  Burwell,  of  Johnson 
County,  N.  C,  whc  died  July  27,  1873, 
was  a  well  beloved  minister  of  many 
Christian  virtues.  He  served  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church  at  Salem,  John- 
son County,  and  other  churches  in 
that  section  and  was  an  humble,  faith- 
ful minister,  but  data  for  a  more  suit- 
able sketch  of  his  life  and  labors 
could  not  be  obtained. 


JOHN   TERRY. 

Terry,  Elder  John,  of  Hurricane 
County,  W.  Va.,  was  born  in  Floyd 
County,  Va.,  December  1,  1844.  Moved 
with  his  parents  to  West  Virginia 
about  the  year  1850,  joined  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church  in  1870,  began 
preaching  in  1879,  ordained  1885,  and 
has  since  had  the  care  of  churches. 
He  is  at  present  pastor  of  two 
churches  and  is  moderator  of  the  Poc- 
atalico  Association.  He  is  an  able 
preacher,  is  sound  in  the  doctrine  of 
the  Bible  and  is  highly  esteemed  by 
his  brethren. 


264 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


WILLIAM    THORP. 

Thorp,  Elder  William  (1772-1853), 
was  one  of  the  noted  pioneer  ministers 
who  smoothed  the  rugged  paths  of  the 
Baptists  in  the  western  wilds  of  Mis- 
souri. He  is  said  to  have  constituted 
the  first  church  and  organized  the  first 
Association  in  upper  Missouri.  He 
was  born  in  Virginia,  of  Scotch-Irish 
parents  who  immigrated  from  the  old 
country.  From  Virginia  he  moved  to 
Kentucky  in  1786  when  a  boy  and  in 
1809  moved  to  Missouri  and  died  in 
Clay  County  after  a  long,  useful  and 
faithful  life  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 


ERASMUS    DARWIN    THOMAS 

Thomas,  Elder  Erasmus  Darwin  of 
Danville,  Ind.,  who  after  about  half  a 
century  of  service  as  minister  in  the 
Master's  vineyard,  passed  from  this 
scene  of  action  a  few  years  ago  in  the 
full  triumph  of  the  Christian's  faith. 
Elder  Thomas  was  born  in  Fayette 
County,  Ind.,  November  13,  1821,  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists,  October 
27,  1849,  and  was,  the  following  day, 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  Will- 
iam's Creek  Church  by  Elder  John 
Sparks.  Two  years  later  he  was  li- 
censed to  preach  and  on  May  14,  1852 
was  ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the 
ministry.  During  his  long  career  in 
the  ministry  he  was  able,  active  and 
zealous  in  the  cause  of  truth,  was  a 
bold  defender  of  the  faith,  and  order 
of  God's  house  as  maintained  by  the 
Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptists,  and 
his  labors  were  blessed  to  the  instruc- 
tion, comfort  and  edification  of  many 
of  God's  children.  His  name  was  a 
household  word,   among  the  churches 


of  the  Danville  Association  of  which 
he  was  so  long  the  beloved  Moderator 
as  well  as  among  other  churches  and 
associations  that  knew  his  gift  and  felt 
his  good  influence.  Detail  information 
of  his  useful  life  and  labors  could  not 
be  obtained. 


E.  D.  THOMAS. 

Thomas,  Elder  E.  D.  (1821-1896),  of 
Indiana,  was  born  in  Fayette  County. 
He  was  the  son  of  David  F.  and 
Phoebe  Thcmas  who  emigrated  from 
New  York  state  in  a  very  early  day. 
In  early  manhood  he  was  married  to 
Mary  G.  Thompson,  the  daughter  of 
Wilson  Thompson,  who  has  a  national 
reputation  as  a  minister  of  the  gcspel 
in  the  Baptist  Church.  He  received  a 
hope  in  Christ  at  about  the  age  of 
twenty,  but  did  not  unite  with  the 
church  until  nine  years  afterward.  He 
began  speaking  in  public  in  a  short 
time  after  joining  the  church  and  was 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry  at  the  age  of  thirty 
years.  Although  he  travelled  consid- 
erably, yet  his  greatest  work  was  pas- 
toring  churches.  He  served  four 
churches  almost  constantly  during  his 
entire  ministerial  life.  One  very  re- 
markable event  of  his  life  was,  that 
he  served  two  churches  for  over  forty 
years  each.  At  the  time  of  his  death 
he  was  on  his  forty-fourth  year  as 
paster  of  Big  Run  Church,  ten  miles 
southeast  of  Indianapolis,  and  on  his 
forty-third  year  as  pastor  at  Danville. 
He  left  each  church  with  a  member- 
ship of  nearly  one  hundred.  He  died 
at  his  home  near  Danville,  Ind.,  at  the 
age  of  seventy-five,  having  served  his 
Master  faithfully  for  nearly  half  a 
century. 


E.  W.  THOMAS. 

Thomas,  Elder  E.  W.,  of  Danville, 
Ind..  was  born  in  Marion  County  Ind., 
October  13,  1859,  and  is  the  sixth  son 
and  eighth  child  of  Elder  E.  D.  Thom- 
as. He  was  first  made  to  seriously 
consider  himself  as  a  sinner  at  the 
age  of  sixteen,  after  four  or  five 
months  of  sorrow  and  trouble  over  his 
condition,  in  which  time  his  soul  was 
brought  to  trust  in  the  Lord's  sweet 
mercy  through  Jesus  Christ.  With  a 
great  love  for  Christ,  His  cause  and 
His  people,  he  in  1876  offered  himself 
to  the  dear  old  church  at  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, where'  he  still  lives  and  enjoys 
the  fellowship  of  the  Lord's  precious 
people,  and  was  baptized  by  his  fath- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


265 


er.  At  about  the  age  of  twenty-four  he 
became  much  impressed  in  mind 
about  preaching  the  gospel  of  God's 
grace,  but  objections  of  various  kinds 
kept  him  silent  until  the  winter  of 
1888-9.  His  first  attempt  to  preach  was 
the  second  Sunday  night  of  F'ebruary, 
1889,  using  the  text,  "This  is  the 
stone  that  was  set  at  naught  of  you 
builders,"  etc.,  Acts  4:11.  He  was  or- 
dained in  1S90,  by  Elders  E.  D.  Thom- 
as, J.  H.  Oliphant  and  John  R.  Daily, 
and  has  since  been  continuously  en- 
gaged in  serving  churches  as  pastor, 
■ — having  the  care  of  four  churches 
during  his  entire  ministry  except  the 
first  year  when  he  served  two.  Elder 
Thomas  has  served  his  home  church 
continuously  since  his  ordination,  and 
is  loved  by  his  people. 


J.   MARSHALL  THOMAS. 

Thomas  Elder  J.  Marshall,  of  Orrs- 
burg,  Mo.  The  editor  receiving  no  in- 
formation from  which  to  write  a  sketch 
of  Elder  Thomas  will  quote  the  fol- 
lowing from  Elder  Cash's  book  of 
Portraits  of  1896.  "He  was  born  in 
Danville,  Ind.,  February  24,  1867  and 
united  with  Mt.  Pleasant  Church, 
Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  in  February, 
1888.  He  was  ordained  July  4,  1896, 
in  W'est  Union  Church,  Orrsburg,  Mo. 
where  his  membership  now  is." 


WILLIAM    THOMAS. 

Thomas,   Elder  William    (1821-1893), 
of  Texas,  the  son  of  John  C.  and  Sarah 


Thomas,  was  born  in  Jones  County, 
Miss.  He  was  raised  by  Baptist  par- 
ents, professed  a  hope  in  Jesus  in  his 
eighteenth  year  and  united  with  the 
Methodists.  But  on  a  careful  study 
of  the  Bible  he  found  he  could  not  har- 
monize their  doctrine  and  practice 
with  his  experience  and  the  Bible,  and 
in  1841  left  his  former  brethren  and 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists  at 
Salem  Church  in  Jasper  County,  Miss., 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  E.  Y.  Ter- 
rell. From  the  time  he  obtained  a 
hope,  he  had  impressions  to  preach 
Jesus  the  Saviour  of  sinners;  so  after 
moving  to  Arkansas,  he  soon  com- 
menced the  exercises  of  his  gift;  and 
in  1849  he  was  liberated  to  preach; 
and  in  1857  was  ordained  by  Elders 
Othniel,  Weaver  and  E.  Y.  Terrell. 
In  1865  he  moved  to  Milan  County, 
Tex.,  and  was  in  the  constitution  of 
New  Providence  Church.  In  January, 
1867,  he  bought  land  and  opened  a 
farm  on  Knob  Creek  in  Bell  County, 
and  .ioined  Little  Flock  Church,  which 
church  he  continued  to  serve  until  his 
decease.  As  a  minister  he  was  sound 
in  doctrine,  uncompromising  with  er- 
ror, eloquent  in  his  defense  of  truth, 
and  unswerving  in  the  discharge  of 
duty,  as  a  pastor  he  had  few  equals; 
and  God  truly  blessed  his  labors  with 
Little  Flock  Church,  which  he  served 
for  over  twenty-five  years.  There  has 
been  dismissed  from  this  church  mem- 
bers to  constitute  three  churches,  and 
hundreds  have  moved  away,  carrying 
letters  and  the  church  now  numbers 
over  eighty.  He  was  loved  by  all  that 
knew  him.  The  church  especially  was 
made  to  mourn  for  his  presence,  his 
council  and  his  loving  admonitions  and 
his  words  of  comfort.  He  died  as  he 
had  lived,  trusting  alone  in  Jerms  for 
peace  and  happiness  hereafter. 


Z.  G.  THOMAS. 

Thomas,  Elder  Z.  G,  (1833-1882),  of 
Louisiana,  was  born  in  Barbour 
County,  Ala.  His  parents  moved  from 
Alabama  to  Georgia,  and  then  to  Ar- 
kansas and  remained  one  year  and 
moved  to  Bienville  Parish,  La.,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  ex- 
cept three  years  which  he  spent  in 
the  Civil  war.  He  was  married  to  M. 
A.  Page,  1858,  and  there  were  born  to 
them  twelve  children.  He  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  New 
Providence  in  the  fall  of  1861,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  T.  J.  Foster, 
and  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in 
the  spring  of  1877,  by  Elders  H.  B. 
Howard,  Z.  Thomas  and  J.  J.  White, 


266 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


which  place  he  filled  to  the  glory  and 
honor  of  his  glorious  King  whom  he 
trusted  in  and  loved  so  well  to  speak 
of  until  death  removed  him.  He  was 
chosen  moderator  of  the  Louisiana 
Primitive  Baptist  Association  in  the 
fall  of  1879,  and  served  in  this  posi- 
tion to  the  satisfaction  and  comfort 
of  the  association  until  death.  He  was 
of  a  mild  temperament,  a  good,  kind 
man;  had  many  friends  and  was  loved 
by  them  all.  He  was  an  able  and  earn- 
est contender  for  the  doctrine  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and 
was  a  dear  and  precious  gift  to  the 
church,  and  the  church  loved  him  as 
such.  His  labors  in  the  Master's  vine- 
yard were  blessed  to  the  good  of  the 
church  and  the  glory  of  God  and  he 
passed  away  in  the  full  triumphs  of 
faith  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his 
earthly  pilgrimage. 


ZACHARIAH    THOMAS. 

Thomas,  Elder  Zachariah  (1817-1885) 
was  born  in  Licking  County,  Ohio, 
moved  to  Morrow  County,  Ohio  when 
quite  young,  where,  when  fifteen  years 
of  age,  he  was  called  by  grace  from 
"darkness  to  light,"  and  "from  the 
power  of  Satan  to  God."  He  was  in 
great  distress  of  mind  until  he  Avas 
led  to  see  Christ  as  the  "end  of  the 
law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that 
believeth."  In  1840,  he  was  married 
to  Elizabeth  S.  Bruce  and  they  settled 
on  a  farm  near  Chesterville,  Ohio,  in 
1841,  where  they  remained  until  1859. 
In  April,  1846,  thev  united  with  Mt. 
Pisgah  Church  in  Morrow  Coiftity,  and . 
were  baptized  by  his  father  Elder 
John  D.  Thomas.  Shortly  afterwards 
he  became  exercised  about  preaching, 
and  the  church  liberated  him  in  the 
winter  of  1847.  His  father  dying  in 
April,  1849,  left  the  church  without  a 
pastor.  In  June  following,  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  ministry, 
and  was  called  to  the  care  of  Mt.  Pis- 
gah church  which  he  retained  as  long 
as  he  remained  in  Ohio.  He  was  also 
pastor  of  the  Alum  Creek  Church,  at 
Ashley,  and  the  Salem  Church  near 
Johnsville.  In  1860,  he  moved  to  Lick- 
ing County,  and  became  pastor  of  the 
Licking  and  Friendship  Churches, 
while  retaining  charge  of  Mt.  Pisgah 
and  Salem.  In  1865  he  moved  to  North- 
ern Indiana.,  locating  near  Albion, 
Noble  County.  Here  he  was  instru- 
mental in  the  organization  of  two 
churches,  Mt.  Salem  and  Elkhart 
which  he  visited  as  pastor  as  long  as 
he  could  travel.  He  preached  his  last 


sermon  at  Elkhart  in  May,  1884,  at 
which  time  he  baptized  three  young 
sisters.  Elder  Thomas  was  greatly 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  As  a. 
minister  he  was  faithful  and  zealous, 
in  discourse  systematic  and  logical, 
always  presenting  some  things  for 
meditation  and  causing  his  hearers  to 
feel  that  the  time  had  not  been  spent 
in  vain. 


WILSON   THOMPSON. 


Thompson,  Elder  Wilson  (1788- 
1866),  a  native  of  Hillsborough,  Ky., 
is  regarded  as  the  ablest  Primitive 
Baptist  minister  that  ever  lived  in  the 
United  States.  He  was  of  an  old  Bap- 
tist family,  of  English,  Welsh,  Scotch, 
Irish  and  German  descent.  He  had  re- 
ligious impressions  from  his  earliest 
recollections;  and,  during  the  first 
twelve  years  of  his  life,  without  any 
instruction  from  any  person  or  book, 
he  became  a  thorough  graduate  in  Ar- 
ruinian,  Pharisical  or  natural  relig- 
ion— "getting  religion"  himself  by  his 
own  resolutions  and  exertions,  idol- 
izing "the  Sabbath,"  attaining  perfec- 
tion in  the  flesh,  assured  that  he  was 
bound  for  heaven,  despising  the  peo- 
ple of  God,  as  far  below  himself  in 
religious  knowledge  and  attainments; 
then  "falling  from  grace,"  "taking  his 
fill  of  sin,"  then  afterwards  terrified 
anew  by  natural  convictions,  going  to 
work  again  with  more  zeal  than  ever 
to  ingratiate  himself  into  the  favor  of 
God,  repenting  and  praying  more,  and 
doing  more  good  works  until  he  felt 
he  was  sinless  and  resolved  he  never 
would  commit  another  sin.  He  rested 
in  the  pursuasion  of  his  own  right- 
eousness, with  which  he  believed  God 
was  well  pleased.     While  in  his  thir- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


267 


teenth  year  he  went  to  see  Elder 
James  Lee  baptize  some  candidates, 
among  others,  a  small  slender  girl, 
named  Mary  Grigg,  who  afterward 
became  Elder  Thompson's  wife;  and, 
while  this  girl  was  being  led  into  the 
water,  suddenly  all  nature  seemed  to 
him  to  be  overspread  with  a  dark, 
heavy,  angry,  threatening  gloom,  and 
he  felt  like  one  forsaken  of  God  and 
man,  the  most  loathsome  and  guilty 
wretch  that  ever  lived  on  earth,  utter- 
ly corrupt  without  and  within,  and 
justly  exposed  to  the  everlasting 
wrath  of  an  infinitely  holy  God.  He 
left  the  company  and  the  water  in 
despair,  and  sought  a  deep  ravine  in 
the  wood,  expecting  there  to  die 
'alone.  For  three  days  and  nights  he 
continued  in  such  gloom  that  he  did 
not  seem  to  have  one  hopeful  thought 
of  his  salvation,  and,  while  his  heart 
was  all  the  time  pleading  for  mercy, 
if  mercy  were,  possible,,  he  did  not  dare 
to  make  a  formal  prayer,  because  feel- 
ing it  impossible  for  a  holy  God  to 
pardon  such  a  sinner  as  himself.  Still 
he  would  seek  the  woods,  fall  on  his 
knees,  close  his  eyes,  and  make  con- 
fession of  his  sinfulness  and  of  God's 
justice  in  his  condemnation.  While 
thus  engaged,  on  the  fourth  day,  he 
was  startled  three  times  by  the  sud- 
den appearance  of  a  glittering  bright- 
ness, visible  only  when  his  eyes  were 
closed,  and  each  time  increasing  in 
brilliancy,  so  that  at  last  in  amaze- 
ment he  sprang  to  his  feet,  opened  his 
eyes,  and  saw  all  nature  glittering 
with  the  glory  of  God.  He  was  com- 
pletely captivated  with  the  scene,  the 
gloom  and  the  burden  of  sin  were 
gone;  but  he  soon  began  to  be  trou- 
bled because  his  trouble  had  left  him, 
and  never  once  thought  of  this  being 
conversion.  After  many  seasons  of  re- 
joicings, doubts  and  fears,  he.  in  1881, 
united  with  the  church  called  the 
"Mouth  of  Hicking,"  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  Jas.  Lee.  When  raised  from 
the  water  he  felt  a  strong  desire  to 
speak  of  the  glorious  plan  of  salva- 
tion, but,  remaining  silent  in  lan- 
guage, he  burst  into  tears  and  came 
out  of  the  water  weaping  like  a  child. 
For  many  years  he  resisted  the  im- 
pressions to  preach,  feeling  he  would 
rather  die  than  expose  his  ignorance 
in  this  public  way.  He  was  so  troubled 
in  mind  and  lost  so  much  sleep  and 
appetite  that  his  parents  feared  he 
would  commit  suicide  and  had  him  to 
sleep  in  the  room  with  them.  One 
night  after  all  had  retired,  and  the 
fire  had  burned  down,  a  shadowv  form 
seemed   to   approach    him,   bend    over 


him,  and  say,  "I  know  your  trouble, 
and  your  great  desire  to  know  what 
you  should  do;  and  I  have  come  to 
tell  you.  Read  the  sixth  and  tenth 
chapters  of  Matthew,  and  to  every 
sentence,  answer,  'I  am  the  man,"  and 
you  will  soon  come  to  know  your 
duty."  This  was  done  and  said  three 
times.  He  believed  that  the  appear- 
ance was  not  literal,  but  a  vision 
(Acts  2:17-18),  He  was  soon  licensed 
to  preach.  His  first  text,  February, 
1810,  was  John  x:  2,  3;  and  was  or- 
dained January,  1812,  by  Elders 
Stephen  Stilley  and  John  Tanner.  He 
was  about  this  time  led  to  the  then 
Territory  of  Missouri  where  he  bap- 
tized some  four  or  five  hundred  per- 
sons. From  Missouri  he  moved  to  Leb- 
anon, O.,  and  in  1834  moved  to  Fay- 
ette County,  Ind.,  and  became  pastor 
of  churches  in  the  White  Water  Asso- 
ciation. During  the  year  of  1843  there 
were  two  hundred  and  forty-seven  per- 
sons that  joined  the  churches  of  this 
association.  While  residing  in  Indi- 
ana he  made  extensive  tours  of 
preaching  in  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Delaware,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Ken- 
tucky. Virginia,  North  Carolina  and 
Georgia;  and  his  ministerial  gifts  and 
Christian  virtues  shone  with  starry 
brilliancy.  Elder  Thompson  was  the 
author  of  several  books  and  pam- 
phlets, among  them  "Simple  Truth," 
"Triumph  of  Truth,"  "An  Address  to 
the  Baptists  of  the  United  States,"  in 
1850,  and  his  "Autobiography."  He 
was  a  strong  writer,  able  debater  and 
powerful  pulpit  orator.  Few  more  in- 
teresting books  are  to  be  found  in  hu- 
man literature  than  Elder  Thompsons' 
autobiography,  which  may  be  pur- 
chased from  Elder  R.  W.  Thompson, 
Greenfield,  Ind. 


G.    M.    THOMPSON. 

Thompson,  Elder  G.  M.,  was  born 
Apri1  20,  1811,  in  Cape  Girardeau  Coun- 
ty. Mo.  His  father,  Elder  Wilson 
Thompson,  was  one  of  the  greatest 
preachers  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived 
and  like  his  gifted  son,  his  fame  lives 
after  him,  for  his  name  is  known  and 
honored  wherever  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists are  found.  While  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  yet  a  babe  his  father 
removed  from  Missouri  to  the  state  of 
Kentucky,  and  after  a  short  residence 
there,  he  moved  to  Ohio,  where  he 
spent  his  youth.  From  Ohio  he  moved 
to  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  where  he  lived 
and  labored  the  most  of  his  life.  When 
a  mere  boy,  but  seventeen  years  of  age, 


268 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Mr.  Thompson  joined  the  Baptist 
Church  and  began  preaching,  and  from 
that  time  until  death  smote  him  with 
his  harness  on,  he  never  rested  from 
his  toil.  Indeed,  it  was  said  of  him 
many  years  ago  by  one  who  knew 
whereof  he  spoke,  that  "Elder  Grigg 
M.  Thompson  has  traveled  more  miles 
and  preached  more  sermons  than  any 
minister  living  or  dead."  No  doubt 
that  statement  spoke  the  truth,  for 
during  sixty  years  in  storm  and  snow, 
in  good  or  ill  health,  he  devotedly  fol- 
lowed where  duty  led,  often  preaching 
twice  a  day  for  months  at  a  time,  and 


room,  the  tired  hands  were  folded 
for  the  long  rest,  the  great  heart  flut- 
tered and  grew  still  and  from  the  sad- 
dened and  silent  room  "two  angels 
issued  where  but  one  went  in." 


G.   M.   THOMPSON 

the  numbers  baptized  by  him  into  the 
church,  if  gathered  together  would, 
indeed  be  a  mighty  host  marshaled  for 
the  army  of  the  Peaceful  King.  He 
labored  not  only  in  the  pulpit,  but 
also  with  the  pen.  He  has  published 
several  books  all  filled  with  the  faith 
that  possessed  his  soul.  That  he  was 
loved,  respected  and  honored  in  his 
own  community,  but  weakly  expresses 
the  feeling  of  his  neighbors.  He  was 
a  strong  man  in  every  sense  of  the 
word,  and  his  pure  and  reproachless 
life  is  an  example  worthy  of  imitation. 
He  died  as  he  had  lived.  At  the  very 
last,  while  speechless  friends  were 
hovering  about  his  bed,  he  spoke  and 
said:  "Turn  me,  turn  me."  Some  one 
proposed  to  help  turn  his  body  in  the 
bed.  but  he  quickly  interrupted  say- 
ing, "No,  no;  turn  me  to  the  Cross 
of  Christ!"  These  were  the  last 
words  he  ever  spoke.  The  death  angel 
entered    the    darkened    and    silenced 


JOHN  M.  THOMPSON. 

Thompson,  Elder  John  M.,  of  Green- 
field, Ind.,  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Ind.,  September  1,  1844,  of  an  old  noted 
family  of  Irish,  Scotch  and  English 
descent.  His  father,  James  Thomp- 
son, was  among  the  first  settlers 
on  the  Indiana  Reserve,  fifteen  miles 
northeast  of  Intianapolis,  when  the 
country  was  almost  an  unbroken 
forest.  His  devoted  mother,  Eliz- 
abeth McCarty  Thompson,  died  when 
he  was  in  his  thirteenth  year.  The 
opportunities  of  an  education  were 
limited  but  what  he  lacked  in 
this,  he  made  up  by  improving  the 
few  he  possessed.  While  working  on 
his  father's  farm,  he  also  applied  him- 
self to  study  spare  moments,  and  was 
soon  able  to  enter  college  at  Harts- 
ville,  Ind.,  where  he  was  soon  quali- 
fied to  teach  and  followed  this  profes- 
sion for  some  years.  When  about 
twenty  years  old  he  was  convicted  of 
sin.  His  Arminian  sky  became  cloud- 
ed, until  his  self-righteousness  was  in 
his  sight,  as  "filthy  rags."  Being  with- 
out hope  he  wept  and  piteously  begged 
for  mercy  until  his  soul  was  delivered 
by  the  gift  of  faith  in  Christ  as  his 
righteousness,  sanctification  and  re- 
demption. A  few  months  later,  he  was 
baptized  by  Elder  P.  K.  Parr,  and  was 
in  1874  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  Elder  Thompson  is  a  strong 
preacher  and  gifted  teacher  in  Israel 
and  has  been  wonderfully  blessed  to 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


269 


enlighten  the  pure  in  heart,  who  have 
been  deceived  by  false  teachers.  He 
has  traveled  and  preached  in,  per- 
haps a  dozen  states,  and  several  terri- 
tories devoting  his  life  to  pastoral  and 
evangelical  work,  preaching  the  gospel 
without  charge,  condemning  the  greed 
for  filthy  lucre  which  actuates  the 
ministers  of  anti-Christ,  and  yet  has 
faithfully  advocated  spiritual  giving 
and  receiving.  Brother  Thompson  is 
also  a  fluent,  interesting  writer.  For 
many  years  he  has  been  associate  edi- 
tor of  the  Primitive  Monator  and  edi- 
tor of  the  Youth's  Guardian  Friend,  a 
child's  paper,  published  at  Greenfield 
Ind.  He  has  also  engaged  in  eight  pub- 
lic debates  in  answer  to  challenges 
from  Universalists,  Adventists,  Meth- 
odist and  Campbellites,  and  those  who  j 
have  listened  to  his  arguments  have 
felt  that  the  banner  of  truth  has  not, 
by  him,  been  allowed  to  trail  in  the 
dust. 


ROBERT  W.  THOMPSON. 

Thompson,  Elder  Robert  W.,  of 
Greenfield,  Ind.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Ind.,  October  11,  1842.  He  is  the 
grandson  of  Elder  Wilson  Thompson 
who  was  a  pioneer  Old  School  Bap- 
tist minister  of  Kentucky,  Ohio  and 
Indiana.  His  parents,  James  L.  and 
Elizabeth  Thompson,  moved  to  How- 
ard County,  Ind.,  in  1850,  while  the 
country  was  yet  new.  The  public 
schools  of  that  day  afforded  but  little 
opportunity  to  obtain  even  an  ordi- 
nary education.  He  was  reared  on  the 


farm  and  was  inured  to  hard  labor. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  E. 
Hodson  August  22,  1SG7.  To  them 
were  born  four  children,  two  sons 
and  two  daughters.  At  about  the  age 
of  twelve  years  he  was  suddenly 
brought  under  conviction  for  sin,  but 
was  gradually  led  to  trust  in  Christ 
for  salvation.  In  the  meantime  sin 
generally  seemed  to  have  the  mas- 
tery. September  16,  1871,  he  and  his 
wife  united  with  Providence  Church 
and  were  baptized  the  next  day  by 
Elder  Jesse  G.  Jackson.  He  was  or- 
dained a  deacon  in  this  church,  wtiich 
position  he  filled  till  liberate  to  ex- 
ercise a  gift  in  public  speaking  April 
18,  1874.  He  was  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry  October  21, 
1876.  Elder  Thompson  has  since  serv- 
ed four  churches  most  of  the  time; 
has  had  five  public  debates;  three  of 
them  with  ministers  of  the  Soulsleep- 
er  denomination  and  two  with  minis- 
ters of  the  Campbellite  denomination. 
He  has  traveled  and  preached  in  the 
states  of  Delaware,  New  Jersey,  Penn- 
sylvania, New  York;  Washington,  D. 
C,  Virginia,  West  Virginia,  Maryland, 
North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Geor- 
gia, Florida,  Alabama,  Tennessee, 
Kentucky,  Ohio,  Illinois,  Missouri  and 
Kansas.  In  1886,  he  left  the  farm  and 
moved  to  Greenfield,  Ind.,  his  present 
home,  and  with  Deacon  D.  H.  Goble 
(deceased),  started  the  publication  of 
the  Primitive  Monitor  in  the  interest 
of  the  Primitive  Baptists.  Since  June, 
1892,  Elder  Thompson  has  had  full 
control  of  this  popular  magazine.  He 
is  an  humble,  kind  and  lovely  man, 
tender  and  sympathetic,  yet  firm  and 
uncompromising  with  error.  A  gifted 
speaker  and  able  writer— his  influence 
for  good  is  great;  his  love  for  the 
cause  of  truth  sincere,  and  his  labors 
in  the  Master's  vineyard  unselfishly 
zealous.  Elder  Thompson  is  modera- 
tor of   the  White  Water  Association. 


JESSE    W.   THORNTON. 

Thornton,  Elder  Jesse  W.  of  North 
Yakima,  Wash.,  was  born  in  DeKalb 
County,  Mo.,  January  6,  1850;  receiv- 
ed a  hope  in  Christ  when  ten  years 
old;  united  with  the  Old  School  Bap- 
tist Church  at  Oak  Creek,  Oregon, 
January,  1893;  was  ordained  to  the 
full  work  of  the  ministry  September 
6,  1902,  by  Elders  W.  S,  Matthews 
and  G.  R.  Girard.  He  was  a  son  of 
Deacon  John  Thornton  of  Salem 
Church,     DeKalb     County,     Mo.,   and 


270 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


grandson  of  Elder  Jesse  Todd  who 
was  for  a  long  time  pastor  of  the 
same  church.  The  editor  regrets  that 


JESSE   W.    THORNTON 


data  for  a  more  detailed  sketch  of 
Elder  Thornton's  life  and  labors  could 
not  be  obtained. 


ELMORE   C.  THRASH. 

Thrash,  Elder  Elmore  C,  of  Geor- 
gia, is  a  plain,  social,  orderly  and 
useful  Primitive  Baptist,  and  a  sound, 
able  and  instructive  gospel  preacher, 
desiring  more  to  minister  to  the  poor 
and  destitute  churches  and  communi- 
ties, than  to  have  the  regular  pastoral 
charge  of  any  church.  He  has  been 
many  years  in  the  ministry  and  is 
now  about  seventy  years  of  age.  The 
editor's  efforts  to  secure  data  for  a 
more  suitable  sketch  proved  fruitless. 
We  can  only  add  that  Elder  Thrash  is 
not  only  big  in  heart  and  sympathy, 
but  also  in  physique.  His  altitude  is 
six  feet  four  inches. 


D.    M.   THRASH. 

Thrash,  Elder  D.  M.,  of  Rock  Creek, 
Ark.,  is  the  faithful  pastor  of  Pleasant 
Grove,  and  other  churches  within  the 
bounds  of  the  South  Arkansas  Primi- 
tive Baptist  Association  and  the  be- 
loved moderator  of  that  body. 


A.   L.   THURSTON. 

Thurston,  Elder  A.  L.  (1830-1898), 
of  Ohio,  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Marga- 
ret Lee  Thurston,  was  born  in  Butler 
County,  O.  He  was  married  to  Girzilla 


Thurston,  December,  1850,  and  prov- 
ed to  her  a  faithful  companion  until 
he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  in  his  sixty- 
eighth  year  of  age.  Elder  Thurston  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Indian  Creek 
Baptist  Church  near  his  early  home, 
in  1853;  was  licensed  to  preach  in 
1857,  and  ordained  in  1858.  His  home, 
during  the  greater  portion  of  his  life, 
was  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  and  his 
ministerial  labors  were  principally  in 
that  county,  though  he  often,  in  his 
early  life,  visited  and  preached  for 
the  churches  in  adjoining  counties  in 
Indiana,  and  also,  in  Ohio  and  Ken- 
tucky. When  he  moved  to  Indiana  he 
united  with  Big  Cedar  Grove  Church, 


A.   L.   THURSTON 

one  of  the  oldest  Baptist  churches  in 
Franklin  County.  Almost  his  first  ef- 
forts in  speaking  were  at  that  church, 
which  he  afterward  serve  year  after 
year  as  pastor,  from  1861  till  his 
death.  He  made  no  attempt  to  be  a 
great  preacher,  but  he  was  a  faithful 
pastor,  always  at  his  post;  and  when, 
near  the  close  of  his  life,  his  health 
failed  so  he  could  not  stand  and 
speak,  he  sometimes  sat  in  his  chair 
and  talked  to  his  brethren,  telling 
them  "the  old,  old  story"  that  is  ever 
new,  of  God's  love  and  mercy  to  sin- 
ful  man. 


EPPE   TILLERY. 

Tillery,  Elder  Eppe,  of  Missouri,  who 
died  many  years  ago,  was  one  of  the 
pioneer  preachers  of  northwest  Mis- 
souri, and  served  several  years  as 
Moderator  of  Nodaway  Association. 
Information  from  which  to  prepare  a 
suitable  sketch  of  this  faithful  and  use- 
ful minister's  life  could  not  be  secured. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


271 


J.    N.   TIPTON. 

Tipton,  Elder  J.  N.,  of  Georgia,  was 
born  in  Decatur  County,  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  in  1877  and 
was  baptize  by  Elder  J.  T.  Everett 
unto  the  fellowship  of  the  Olive  Grove 
Church  of  Decatur  County.  His  youth- 
ful training  was  under  the  Free  Will 
Baptist  discipline,  a  religion  that  he 
persistently  tried  to  believe,  but  when 
his  eyes  had  been  opened,  as  it  were, 
by  revelation,  he  saw  plainly,  as  set 
forth  in  the  Scriptures,  that  none 
could  come  unto  the  Saviour  except 
the  Father  draw  them.  Soon  after  he 
united  with  the  church  he  was  or- 
dained and  called  to  the  care  of  Olive 
Grove  church,  where  he  ably  expound- 
ed the  Scriptures  to  his  hearers  for 
about  ten  years  prior  to  his  death. 
He  bore  his  afflictions  with  untiring 
patience.  His  mind  grew  faint  pertain- 
ing to  things  of  this  world  before  his 
parting  hour,  but  the  great  Jehovah 
he  never  forgot,  constantly  asking  His 
mercy  and  protection  on  his  dear 
household,  at  the  same  time  asking 
forgiveness  in  behalf  of  some  who 
had  in  years  past  been  his  persecut- 
ors, as  he  felt  without  a  cause,  thus 
manifesting  the  forgiving  spirit  of  his 
■divine  Master. 


JESSE  TODD. 

Todd,  Elder  Jesse,  (1792-1865),of 
TJeKalb  County  Mo.,  was  born  in 
South  Carolina,  and  united  with  Vina 
Fork  Church  in  Kentucky  when  about 
grown.  Moving  to  Missouri  he  first 
settled  in  Howard  County,  and  in  De- 
Kalb  in  the  year  1839,  where  he  was  in 
the  constitution  of  the  first  church  in 
the  county — Bethlehem  Church — in  De- 
cember, 1842.  He  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  August  6.  1845, 
and  served  Bethlehem  Church  as  past- 
or about  thirty  years,  and  was  a  faith- 
ful servant  in  the  Master's  vineyard. 
The  editor  regrets  that,  for  want  of  re- 
liable information,  a  detailed  sketch 
of  Elder  Todd's  life  and  labors  could 
not  be  given. 


JESSE  TOMLIN. 

Tomlion,  Elder  Jesse  (1798-1879),  of 
Dale  County,  Ala.  The  subject  of  this 
notice  was  born  in  South  Carolina, 
was  removed  by  his  parents,  at  the  age 
of  nine  years  to  Georgia,  where  he 
was  reared  to  manhood,  passing 
through  childhood  and  youth  with  the 


praise  of  the  community  for  his  un- 
flinching morality  and  strong  resolu- 
tions for  truth  and  justice.  He  obtain- 
ed an  evidence  of  being  born  of  the 
Spirit  at  about  the  age  of  twenty-five 
years,  joined  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
a  few  years  after  was  appointed  dea- 
con. Not  many  years  later  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry in  which  he  labored  faithfully 
and  efficiently  half  a  century,  being 
exceedingly  well  versed  in  the  scrip- 
tures, in  doctrine  sound  and  uncom- 
promising, and  serving  from  five  to 
seven  churches  a  portion  of  the  time. 
He  was  accounted  by  his  brethren  as 
an  uncommonly  able  disciplinarian, 
being  mild  and  gentle  in  his  manner. 
He  was  much  loved  by  the  brother- 
hood, and  highly  respected  by  all  who 
knew  him,  was  very  tender  and  in- 
structive to  young  Christians,  and  es- 
pecially helpful   to  young   ministers. 


SAMUEL    TROTT. 

Trott,  Elder  Samuel  (1783-1866),  of 
Virginia,  was  born  in  New  Hampshire, 
and  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship 
of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Morristown, 
N.  J.,  in  1810  by  Elder  Parkinson  of 
New  York.  He  began  preaching  the 
following  year  and  was  ordained  at 
'Morristown  in  1812.  He  took  a  most 
important  part  in  the  division  of  the 
Old  School  from  the  New  School  Bap- 
tists and  firmly  opposed  all  depar- 
tures from  the  doctrine  and  practice 
of  the  apostolic  church.  For  a  time  he 
preached  in  Kentucky.  During  the 
last  many  years  of  his  life  he  lived  in 
or  near  Fairfax,  Va.,  traveling  on 
horseback,  serving  a  number  of 
churches  in  Virginia,  and  visiting  the 
Black      Rock      Church      and       other 


272 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


churches  of  the  Baltimore  Associa- 
tion. Elder  Gilbert  Beebe  wrote  of 
him:  "We  have  been  personally  ac- 
quainted with  our  dear  brother  about 
forty-five  years,  and  from  our  earliest 
acquaintance  have  looked  up  to  him 
as  to  a  father  for  consel  and  instruc- 
tion, which  he  has  been  enabled  to 
give.  We  have  always  found  him 
ready  to  speak  a  seasonable  word  to 
us  when  occasion  required.  Like 
David  and  Jonathan  we  have  loved 
each  other;  facing  the  same  toes, 
bearing  the  same  testimony,  engaged 
in  the  same  conflicts  and  participating 
in  the  same  victories,  suffering  the 
same  reproaches,  encountering  the 
same  persecutions  for  the  truth's 
sake;  is  it  strange,  now  that  he  is 
taken  from  us,  that  we  should  ex- 
claim, as  did  Elisha,  when  he  saw 
Elijah  taken  up  to  heaven  in  a  fiery 
chariot:  'My  father!  my  father!  the 
chariot  of  Israel  and  the  horsemen 
thereof.' "  Elder  R.  C.  Leachman 
wrote  of  him:  "He  has  been  actively 
engaged  in  the  ministry  for  more  than 
sixty  years.  It  was  not  with  him  as, 
alas!  it  is  with  too  mony,  a  work  of 
convenience,  or  of  secondary  iniport- 
anace,  but  was  regarded  as  the  great 
and  leading  business  of  his  life. 
Through  sunshine  and  storm,  winter 
and  summer,  he  was  faithful  to  his 
appointments,  and  seemed  to  be  al- 
ways laden  with  gospel  treasure.  No 
man  seemed  to  feel  more  sensibly  his 
dependance  upon  God,  and  none  seem- 
ed to  be  more  constantly  furnished 
unto  every  good  word  and  work.  To  a 
naturally  strong  and  logical  mind  he 
added  a  liberal  education,  and  a  rich 
endowment  of  spiritual  gifts  rarely 
found  combined  in  the  same  individ- 
ual. We  have  traveled  many  thousand 
miles  together,  and  I  have  heard  him 
preach  more  discourses  than  I  have 
any  other  man,  and  I  think  I  can  truly 
say  that  I  never  heard  him  preach 
that  he  did  not  say  something  I  had 
never  heard  him   say  before." 


JAMES  M.  TRUE. 

True,  Elder  James  M.  (1823-1908). 
This  highly  esteemed  and  well  known 
minister  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  was 
born  in  Kentucky  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  at  Little 
Bethel,  near  Mattoon,  111.,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Threlkild,  in  March, 
1843.  He  was  for  many  years,  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Mattoon,  111., 
where  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy 
B.  Threldild,   September  21,   1843.   Six 


children  were  born  to  them,  four  dying 
in  infancy,  and  one  Alvira  Ellen,  at 
twenty  years  of  age.  One  daughter, 
Mrs.  Lillie  A.  Hayes,  survives  him. 
His  wife  having  died  at  Seward,  Neb., 
in  1890,  he  was  again  married  to  Mrs. 
Candace  Mariam  Kester,  at  Kansas, 
111.,  June  1,  1891.  At  the  beginning  of 
the  Civil  war  in  1861,  he  organized  a 
company,  of  which  he  was  commis- 
sioned captain  June  20  1861,  and  it 
was  known  as  Company  E.,  Thirty- 
eighth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He 
was  promoted  to  colonel  in  June,  1862, 
and  placed  in  command  of  the  Sixty- 
second  Illinois  Infantry.  He  held  this 
rank  until  March  6,  1865,  when  he  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  brigadier  gen- 
eral, and  was  discharged  May  1,  1865. 
He  was  appointed  United  States  consul 
to  Kingston,  Canada..  February  20, 
1874;  the  appointment  being  acknow- 
ledged by  Queen  Victoria  April  6,  1874. 
He  served  in  this  capacity  for  four 
years.  He  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry  October 
18,  1879  in  West  Liberty  Church,  Des- 
Moines  County,  Iowa.  Elder  True  was 
an  able  expounder  of  the  word;  and 
uncompromising  in  doctrinal  positions, 
but  mild  and  humble  in  his  presenta- 
tion of  the  truth.  He  was  truly  a  noble 
man,  respected  alike  by  friend  and  foe 
for  his  steadfastness  and  unswerving 
honesty  in  whatsoever  he  deemed  to 
be  right,  and  loved  by  all  who  were  fav- 
ored with  an  intimate  acquaintance 
with  him.  He  hath  done  what  he 
could;  always  contending  for  the  right, 
as  he  was  enabled  to  see  it;  and  he 
died  rejoicing  in  the  faith  of  the  Son 
of  God  as  his  blessed  and  only  Saviour. 


RUSSELL  TUCKER. 

Tucker,  Elder  Russell  (1820-1883), 
was  a  native  of  Nash  County,  N.  C. 
When  about  twenty  years  of  age  he 
experienced  a  hope  in  Christ,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Thomas  Crocker  in- 
to the  fellowship  cf  the  church  at 
Peach  Tree.  After  speaking  as  a  licen- 
tiate several  years,  he  was,  in  1860, 
ordained  to  the  ministry  by  Elders 
John  H.  Daniels  and  Robt.  D.  Hart. 
He  served  Peach  Tree,  Sandy  Grove, 
Hickory  Rock  and  Castalia  churches; 
was  a  good  farmer,  a  kind  neighbor, 
an  excellent  citizen,  industrious,  eco- 
nomical and  liberal,  a  diligent  student 
cf  the  Scriptures,  and  a  plain  and 
earnest  preacher  of  Christ  and  Him 
crucified  as  the  only  and  all-sufficient 
Saviour  of  sinners. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


273 


A.   P.  TUCKER. 

Tucker,  Elder  A.  P.,  of  .Maultrie, 
Ga ,  was  born  January  12,  1859.  He  is 
the  twentieth  child  of  his  father — 
Elder  Henry  C.  Tucker,  who  was  mar- 
ried three  times  and  was  the  father  of 
thirty-one  children.  Elder  Tucker  was 
married  in  1878,  united  with  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  at  Bethsada  Church  in 
Colquitt  County,  Ga.,  in  1885,  and  was 
in  1891,  ordained  after  serving- 
churches  as  a  licensed  preacher  for 
about  twc  years.  Since  his  ordination 
he  has  had  the  care  of  churches, 
sometimes  serving  as  many  as  six. 
Has  baptized  a  great  number  of  per- 
sons, assisted  in  the  ordination  oi 
several  ministers  and  deacons  ana 
aided  in  the  constitution  of  six  or 
eight  churches.  He  writes  the  editoi 
that  he  has  failed  to  record  the  num- 
ber of  couples  he  has  married,  but 
a  great  many,  he  remembers  of  six- 
teen in  three  months;  the  oldest,  the 
groom  seventy-four  and  bride  sixty- 
four;  the  youngest  groom  sixteen  and 
bride  fourteen;  the  two  oldest  per- 
sons baptized  eighty-one  and  eigthy- 
five,  and  the  youngest  thirteen  years 
of  age.  Elder  Tucker  is  full  of  zeal 
in  the  cause  of  truth  and  desires  to 
be  found  faithfully  contending  for  the 
faith  once   delivered  unto  the   saints. 


GREENVILLE   L.  TUGGLE. 

Tuggle,  Greenville  L.  (1834-1885), 
was  born  in  Partick  County,  Va.,  uni- 
ted with  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
at  Jack's  Creek,  Patrick  County  in 
May  1854,  and  baptized  by  Elder  Dan- 
iel  Conner,  and   remained  an  orderly 


member  of  this  church  until  death. 
Elder  Tuggle  was  in  1858,  licensed  by 
the  church  to  preach  wherever  God 
might  cast  his  lot  and  in  August,  1859, 
he  was  ordained  by  Elders  Joshua 
Adams,  Daniel  Conner  and  Claiborne 
Plaster  to  the  administering  of  ordi- 
nances. He  was  the  pastor  of  two 
churches  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The 
church  at  West  Fork,  Floyd  County, 
Va.,  he  had  served  as  their  faithful 
pastor  some  twenty-four  or  twenty-five 
years;  he  had  served  the  church  at 
Jack's  Creek,  Patrick  County,  Va., 
near  eight  years  with  much  faithful- 
ness and  promptitude.  He  was  a  gift- 
ed minister  of  the  gospel  of  the  Son 
of  God,  and  also  straight  forward  in 
what  he  believed  to  be  in  accordance 
with  the  word  of  God  and  turned 
neither  to  the  right  or  left  to  court 
the  favor  or  applause  of  any,  and 
thereby  made  some  enemies,  and  suf- 
fered much  persecution  for  truth's 
sake  though  he  seemed  to  bear  it  with 
much  patience  and  Christian  forti- 
tude, and  was  often  made  to  rejoice 
that  he  was  counted  worthy  to  suffer 
shame  for  Christ's  sake.  He  was  faith- 
ful until  the  end  and  peacefully  pass- 
ed over  the  river  of  death  in  full  as- 
surance of  rest  beyond.  The  following 
acostic  was  written  in  his  memory, 
and  appears  among  the  records  of 
Elder  Tuggles'  church: 
Gone,    gone   is   our   brother,   so  noble 

and  true, 
Respected  by  many,  fondly  loved  by  a 

few; 
Even    now    we    are    weeping,    though 

tears  are  in  vain; 
Even   now   he   is   sleeping   that   sleep 

which  is  gain. 
No  winter,  no  sorrow,  no  persecution 

there — 
Light  not  of  the  sun  shines  eternally 

fair. 
Tossed  often  in  tempest  and  comfort- 
ers gone, 

"Unwavering  for  truth  he  went  valiant- 
ly on 
Giving   courage    to   the   drooping   and 

cheer  to  the  faint, 
God  alone  knows  the  goodness  of  this 

heaven-born  saint; 
Loving  and  tender,  yet  shunning  ap- 
plause, 
Enduring   to   the    end    in   his    blessed 
Lord's  cause. 


IRA   TURNER. 

Turner,  Elder  Ira,  of  Missouri,  was 
born  in  Gibson  County,  Ind.,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1843,  and  was  the  youngest  of 
a  family  of  twelve  children.  He  was 
raised    up    under    the    religious    in  flu- 


274 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


ence  of  the  Unitarians — sometimes 
called  New  Lights,  but  when  about 
fifteen  years  old  he  united  with  the 
Free  Will  Baptists.  Within  a  few 
months  he  learned  that  if  his  relig- 
ious experience  was  true  that  he  was 
in  the  wrong  place  for  it  wculd  not 
fit  with  their  doctrine  of  salvation. 
About  this  time  he  was  persuaded  by 
a  friend  to  go  into  an  Old  School  Bap- 
tist meeting  house  where  he  for  the 
first  time  heard  a  Baptist  sermon 
preached  by  Elder  Jcel  Hume.  He  was 
greatly  comforted,  felt  he  had  found 
his  people,  and  in  October  of  the 
same  year — 1860 — asked  for  a  home 
among  them,  was  received  at  Salem 
Church,  Ind.,  and  baptized  by  Elder 
Hume.  In  1868  he  moved  to  the  fron- 
tier of  Kansas  and  there,  during  the 
same  year,  he  made  his  first  attempt 
to   preach  Jesus   to   others.    Soon  two 


IRA  TURNER 


churches  were  organized,  called  Little 
Zion  and  Rich  Valley,  and  in  1871  he 
was  ordained  by  Elders  Ezekiel  Field- 
ler,  M.  F.  Hedges,  and  W.  W.  Polk. 
Since  his  ordination  Elder  Turner  has 
served  churches  in  Indiana,  Illinois, 
and  Missouri,  and  traveled  and 
preached  in  many  states.  His  knowl- 
edge of  vocal  music  was  excellent,  his 
preaching  was  ncted  for  its  variety 
and  success  attended  his  labors.  In 
1889  he  was  called  to  the  care  of 
churches  in  Boone  County,  Mo.,  and 
though  these  churches,  and  others  in 
the  Salem  Association,  were  at  the 
time  weak,  they  have  since  built  up 
until  this  is  the  strongest  association, 


numerically,  in  Misscuri, — some  of 
the  churches  numbering  from  one  to 
two  hundred  in  membership.  Elder 
Turner  is  at  present,  moderator  of 
this  association,,  is  an  able  presiding 
officer,  a  gifted  preacher  and  loves 
the  Baptists  and  the  doctrine  dear  to 
them.  For  about  forty  years  he  has 
contended  earnestly  for  the  doctrine 
and  practice  of  the  Apostolic  Church 
and  is  satisfied  with  the  good  old  way 
wherein  is  rest  and  peace. 


FRANKLIN     M.    TURNER. 


Turner,  Elder  Franklin  M.,  of  Han- 
nibal, Mo,  was  born  July  16,  1837,  and 
united  with  Bear  Creek  Church,  near 
Hannibal,  November  7,  1863.  He  was 
crdained  September  5,  1868,  and 
preached  acceptably  for  the  churches 
until  his  death.  His  high  standing 
among  men  was  attested  by  the  fact 
that  he  was  sent  to  represent  his 
county  in  the  legislature.  He  died 
February  8,  1879.  The  editor's  efforts 
to  obtain  data  from  which  to  prepare 
a  more  suitable  sketch  of  Elder  Tur- 
ner, proved  in  vain. 


E.   B.  TURNER. 

Turner,  Elder  E.  B.,  of  Virginia, 
who  died  several  years  ago,  was  born 
in  Henry  County,  Va.,  August  14, 
1801;  raised  by  Christian  parents; 
convicted  of  sin  in  his  twenty-fourth 
year  while  witnessing  the  baptism  of 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


275 


some  persons;  went  to  the  law  for 
righteousness  and  under  this  school- 
master learned  the  exceeding  sinful- 
ness of  sin  and  that  the  wages  of  sin 
is  death;  was  led  to  the  cross  and 
found  in  Jesus  a  complete  Saviour; 
united  with  the  Baptists  at  Town 
Creek  Church,  Henry  County,  Va.,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Wilson  Turner. 
Soon  after  uniting  with  the  church  he 
was  elected  clerk,  and  later  deacon, 
but  the  church  discovered  in  him  the 
ministerial  gift  and  he  was  licensed, 
and  a  few  months  after  this  he  was 
ordained  by  Elders  Kelly,  Walker, 
Winter  and  Martin.  Elder  Turner,  was 
until  his  death  a  faithful  pastor  of 
churches  and  for  a  long  time  was 
moderator  of  the  Pig  River  Associa- 
tion. In  his  eighty-fourth  year 
Elder  Turner  wrote:  "I  can  now  say 
that  during  my  pilgrimage,  and  partic- 
ularly in  my  ministerial  labors,  I  have 
tried  to  be  faithful  in  trying  to  pro- 
mote the  peace  and  happiness  of  the 
church  I  have  not  turned  to  the  right 
or  tc  the  left..  I  have  not  shunned,  as 
was  said  by  the  eminent  apostle  Paul, 
to  declare  the  whole  counsel  as  far  as 
God  in  His  providence  has  enabled 
me  to  do,  regardless  of  the  frowns  of 
mortal  man;  for  when  I  arise  befcre 
a  congregation,  and  stand  as  it  were 
between  the  living  and  the  dead,  and 
if  I  am  what  I  profess  to  be,  as  a 
mouth  for  God,  and  in  His  immediate 
presence,  I  do  not  feel  that  I  have  a 
foe  to  punish  or  a  friend  to  reward. 
I  have  ever  felt  that  error  should  be 
exposed  and  truth  made  manifest 
from  preaching  the  word  as  it  is  in 
Jesus.  Timothy  was  commanded  to 
preach  the  word,  which  has  ever  been 
unpopular  with  the  world  cf  mankind 
at  large,  and  especially  with  the  relig- 
ious world.  I  feel  that  my  time  is 
short  that  I  am  to  remain  here  on 
earth  to  fight  against  the  enemies  of 
truth,  but  my  great  desire  is  that  I 
may  be  found  in  the  discharge  of  my 
duty,  that  I  may  have  a  conscience 
void  of  cffence  toward  God  and  man, 
that  I  may,  through  divine  grace,  be 
enabled  when  I  lay  down  in  death,  to 
say  I  have  fought  a  good  fight."  Elder 
Turner  served  as  justice  of  the  peace 
of  his  native  county  twenty  years, 
also  served  as  school  commissioner, 
county  assessor,  member  of  the  board 
of  supervisors,  and  member  of  the 
state  legislature.  In  old  age  he  wrote 
in  regard  to  this  work.  "I  am  now  old 
and  most  worn  out,  and  I  can  say  that 
a  great  deal  of  my  labcr  and  time  has 
been  given  to  the  public,  but  I  do  not 
regret  it,  nor  anything  I  could  do  for 


my  fellow-man;  there  is  a  sphere  in 
life  for  all  men  to  occupy,  and  he  who 
lives  alone  fcr  himself  is  but  little  use 
to  society." 


Z.  T.  TURNER. 

Turner,  Elder  Z.  T.  of  Figsboro  Va., 
son  of  Elder  E.  B.  Turner,  was  born 
January  20, 1874.  Though  he  was  rear- 
ed by  christian  parents  and  taught  to 
be  honest  and  truthful,  and  treat  all 
people  with  kindness,  yet  all  the  train- 
ing given  by  men  could  not  kill  him  to 
the  love  of  sin  and  the  pleasures  of  the 
world.  God's  spirit  alone  could  do 
this,  and  for  him,  this  was  done  in  his 
thirty-third  year  of  age.  Being  deep- 
ly convicted  of  sin  his  burden  of  guilt 
was  heavy,  but  the  same  God  who  be- 
gins the  good  work,  completes  it;  he 
was  given  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus  as 
his  sin-bearer,  and  a  love  for  the  Bap- 
tists with  whom  he  united  in  1881  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Amos  Dicker- 
son.  Having  a  dispensation  of  the 
gospel  committed  unto  him  he  was 
soon  impressed  with  the  duty  of 
preaching,  and  though  for  sometime 
he  was  disobedient,  yet  he  could  get 
no  relief  of  mind  until  he  went  for- 
ward in  the  public  service.  He  was, 
in  1886,  ordained  by  Elders  S.  Peter 
Corn.  W.  S.  Minter,  W.  S.  McDowell, 
G.  B.  Lee  and  E.  B.  Turner,  and  on  the 
following  day  baptized  his  wife  and 
four  others,  and  has  since  had  the  care 
of  churches,  has  baptized  a  great  many 
persons  into  the  fellowship  of  his 
churches,  united  several  hundred  cou- 
ples in  marriage,  is  clerk  of  the  Pig 
River  Association,  and  is  a  faithful, 
zealous  minister  and  desires  to  be 
found  in  duty's  pathway.  Elder  Turner 
has  been  blessed  with  two  good  wives ; 


276 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


he  was  first  married  to  Miss  Nannie  A. 
Jamison,  and  after  her  death  thirteen 
years  later,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Hattie  S.  Cook,  who  enters  fully  unto 
her  husband's  labors  in  the  Master's 
vineyard. 


CHARLES  L.  TURNER. 

Turner,  Elder  Charles  L.,  of  Hanni- 
bal, Mo.,  was  born  in  Albemarle  Coun- 
ty. Va.,  June  30,  1792.  He  was  one  of 
the  pioneer  preachers  of  Missouri,  and 
was  in  the  constitution  of  Bear  Creek 
Church,  near  Hannibal,  which  occurred 
August  5,  1821.  He  was  ordained  to 
the  full  work  of  the  ministry  Novem- 
ber 19,  1834,  and  was  a  strong  defender 
of  the  faith.  He  died  November  21, 
1864.  The  editor  regrets  that  data  for 
a  more  conplete  sketch  of  this  worthy 
minister  could  not  be  obtained  for  this 
work. 


WILLIAM  TURNIDGE. 

Turnidge,  Elder  William,  of  Missou- 
ri, was  a  faithful  minister  of  Jesus 
who  lived  before  the  division  of  1832. 
He  died  sometime  in  the  fifties  and 
was  considered  a  gifted  expounder  of 
the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour,  and 
it  is  with  regret  that  the  editor  could 
not  secure  sufficient  information  for 
a  detailed  sketch. 


VINCENT  J.  TURNIDGE. 

Turnidge,  Elder  Vincent  J.,  of  Sheri- 
dan, Ore.,  was  born  in  Missouri.  He 
was  raised  by  Old  School  Baptists. 
His    father,    John    Turnidge,    was    a 


Avorthy  minister  for  many  years  and 
some  of  the  most  pleasant  memories 
of  Elder  Vincent  J.  Turnidge  are  the 
recollection  of  his  departed  father's 
life  and  labors  as  a  minister, — his 
praying  for  God's  protection  for  his 
family  singing  the  songs  of  Zion,  etc. 
But  his  father's  teaching  could  not 
make  a  Baptist  of  him.  He  grew  up 
depending  upon  his  supposed  good 
works  for  salvation,  feeling  that  at 
any  time  he  chose  he  could  perform 
the  conditions  that  would  make  him  a 
child  of  God.  But  he  was  prone  to  put 
off  beginning  the  good  work.  When 
about  seventeen  years  old,  he  entered 
the  army  and  suffered  much  pro- 
vation.  It  was  while  recovering  from 
a  very  low,  unconscious  condition  in  a 
hospital  that  he  was  made  to  fully  real- 
ize his  lost  and  ruined  condition,  was 
deeply  convicted  of  sin  and  felt  that 
hell  was  his  portion.  But  God  deliv- 
ered him  of  this  great  burden  of  sin. 
Whi'e  praying  the  publican's  prayer 
he  was  given  a  sweet  hope  in  Jesus,, 
recovered  from  his  illness,  went  home 
and  in  August,  1865,  united  with  Log 
Creek  Church  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  Isaac  Odell.  Two  years  later 
he  moved  to  Lawrence  County,  Mo., 
and  was  in  the  constitution  of  Stall's 
Creek  Church  about  1868.  Soon  after 
this  he  was  by  this  church  ordained  to 
the  gospel  ministry  by  Elders  John 
Turnidge,  A.  J.  Derniel,  Wm.  Jones 
and  George  Anderson.  In  1874  he 
moved  to  Polk  County,  Ore.  and  was 
one  of  the  constituent  members  of 
Fellowship  Church  organized  about 
this  time,  and  has  served  this  and 
other  churches  for  about  twenty-five 
years.  He  desires  to  be  found  faith- 
ful and  to  know  nothing  but  Jesus  and 
Him  crucified  in  the  salvation  of  sin- 


JAMES   TURNIDGE. 

Turnidge,  Elder  James,  .of  .Idaho, 
was  born  in  Missouri,  licensed  to 
preach  by  Stalls  Creek  Church  in 
Lawrence  County,  about  the  year 
1870,  moved  to  Texas  sometime  after- 
wards and  was,  in  this  state,  ordained 
by  Elders  William  Price  and  D.  Eth- 
redge.  Later  he  moved  to  Oregon  and 
some  years  after  this  moved  to  Idaho 
and  has  the  care  of  churches  but  the 
editor  failed  to  get  data  for  a  proper 
sketch. 


JOHN    TURNIDGE. 

Turnidge,  Elder  John  (1816-1886),  of 
Oregon,  was  for  forty-four  years  a 
minister  of  the   Old   School  or  Primi- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


277 


tive  Baptist  Church  and  boldly  and 
fearlessly  contended  for  the  faith  once 
delivered  unto  the  saints.  His  labors 
were  mostly  among  the  churches  in 
Missouri  but  in  the  latter  part  of  his 
life  he  moved  to  Oregon  where  he  lab- 
ored until  his  death.  He  was,  in  his  old 
age,  strong  in  the  faith  he  had  preach- 
ed in  his  youth  and  died  with  a  sweet 
assurance  of  salvation  in  Jesus. 


J.  C.  TURNIDGE. 

Turnidge,  Elder  J.  C.,  of  Weiser, 
Idaho,  son  of  Elder  John  Turnidge. 
was  born  in  Ray  County,  Mo.,  in  1849, 
convicted  of  sin  in  his  seventeenth 
year  and  after  much  soul  sorrow  and 
many  days  of  labor  under  'Moses  he 
was  enable  by  faith  to  come  to  Jesus 
for  rest,  and  found  a  home  in  the  dear 
old  church  his  father  sc  much  loved 
and  so  earnestly  labored  for.  He  was 
soon  licensed  to  preach  and  about  this 
time  moved  to  Texas  and  was  or- 
dained at  Orchard  Gap  Church  in  Col- 
lins   County,   by   Elders   W.    N.    Price 

and  Harris.   Some  years   later 

he  moved  to  Idaho  and  has  since 
served  churches  in  this  state  and  in 
Washington  and  Oregon.  He  has  as- 
sisted in  the  organization  of  churches 
in  the  Siloam  Association,  has  baptiz- 
ed about  one  hundred  persons,  is  in 
the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age  and  feels 
his  race  is  nearly  run,  but  is  faithful 
to  the  churches  of  his  care,  strong  in 
the  Lord  and  well  established  in  His 
doctrine  and  feels  that  the  fiaith  he 
has  preached  to  others  will  sustain 
him  in   the  hour  of  death. 


G.   N.  TUSING. 

Tusing,    Elder    G.    N.,    of   Ohio,   was 
born  in  Franklin   County,   O.,   Decem- 


ber 6  ,1821,  and  died  May  27,  1905.  He 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Elizabeth 
Harman  February  18,  1847,  and  they 
journeyed  together  and  shared  with 
each  other  the  joys  and  sorrows  of 
this  life  for  over  58  years.  This  union 
was  blessed  with  four  sons  and  tive 
daughters.  One  brother  of  the  deceas- 
ed, Elder  Samuel  C.  Tusing,  of  New 
Lexington,  O.,  also  survives  him. 
There  are  also  thirty  grandchildren 
and  twenty-three  great-grandchildren 
Elder  Tusing  was  baptized  and  united 
with  Friendship  Baptist  Church  at 
Reynoldsburg,  O.,  December  7,  1851. 
He  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  by 
this  same  church  December  10,  1853, 
and  he  was  ccntinuously  engaged  in 
the  ministry  for  more  than  fifty-one 
years.  It  can  be  said  of  him  that  few 
men  came  nearer  than  he  in  gaining 
the  universal  love  and  esteem  of  his 
brethren.  He  fully  appreciated  that 
his  departure  was  speedily  approach- 
ing and  he  calmly  awaited  the  final 
summons.  He  frequently  remarked 
that  his  work  was  done  and  that  he 
was  ready  to  go.  God  had  blessed  him 
through  a  long  life  and  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Psalmist,  had  satisfied 
him.  He  retained  fully  his  faculties  to 
the  end,  and  died  as  he  had  lived — 
fully  trusting  in  Jesus.  His  life  was 
useful,  his  end  peaceful,  his  death 
easy. 


JOHN  TYLER. 

Tyler,  Elder  John  of  Texas,  died 
April  30,  1885.  He  was  a  highly  es- 
teemed and  faithful  minister  of  Jesus 
for  about  fifty-eight  years.  Sound  in 
doctrine  and  practice,  beloved  by  all 
of  the  household  of  faith  that  knew 
him,  he  died  in  the  full  triumphs  of 
that  faith  he  had  so  earnestly  preached 
to  others.  The  editor  regrets  that  a 
more  complete  sketch  could  not  ap- 
pear. 


DANIEL  TYSON. 

Tyson,  Elder  Daniel  of  Georgia,  fell 
as'eep  in  the  triumphs  of  a  living  faith 
in  Jesus  October  15,  1895,  at  his  resi- 
dence in  Emanuel  County,  in  the  sev- 
enty-first year  of  his  age.  He  was  a 
son  of  Noah  and  Elizabeth  Tyson,  of 
Washington  County,  Ga.  Was  united 
in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Jane  Neal 
January  6  1846,  with  whom  he  lived 
happily  until  his  death.  In  1868  he 
was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of 
Sardis  Church,  Emanuel  County,  Ga., 
by   Elder  Archibald   Odom,   where  he 


278 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


remained  an  orderly  and  exemplary 
member  until  his  death.  Soon  after 
he  joined  the  church  he  was  elected 
clerk,  and  served  in  that  capacity  satis- 
factorily until  he  was  ordained  in  the 
year  1873  as  a  minister  of  Christ.  The 


Presbytery  was  composed  of  Elders 
Archie  Odom  and  Edward  Rhyner.  He 
proved  to  be  an  able  minister  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ  until  his  death.  Was 
well  versed  in  the  scriptures  and 
sound  in  doctrine. 


u 


MARTIN   URNER. 

Urner,  Elder  Martin,  of  Virginia, 
died  the  6th  day  of  March,  1888,  in  the 
seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age.  No  lin- 
gering sigh  escaped  his  breast,  no 
longing  eye  was  turned  to  the  tempor- 
al treasures  of  this  life,  but  with  a 
happy  smile  and  conscious  to  the  last 
he  bid  adieu  tc  this  world  and  loved 
ones  to  enjoy  a  happy  fruition  in  the 
eternity  of  God.  Elder  Urner  was  well 


known  by  all  the  churches  of  the  Ke- 
tockton  and  Ebenezer  Associations. 
He  had  a  dignified,  Christian  deport- 
ment, a  smile  and  warm  word  for  all. 
His  sermcns  showed  thought  and  de- 
veloped a  systematic  training  of  the 
mind.  He  desired  to  know  nothing  in 
his  preaching  but  Jesus  and  Him 
crucified  for  the  salvation  of  sinners, 
and  nothing  but  Scripture  as  a  fur- 
nisher to  God's  people  for  all  good 
wcrks. 


V 


D.    M.   VAIL. 

Vail,  Elder  D.  M.,  of  Waverly,  Pa., 
the  son  of  Daniel  S.  and  Margery  E. 
Vail  was  born  September  1,  1845;  at- 
tended country  school  about  six 
months  a  year  from  about  seven  to 
fifteen  years  of  age.  He  had  some 
knowledge  cf  his  sinful  condition  be- 
fore God  when  only  about  seven  years 
old  and  for  twenty-one  years  he  la- 
bored under  the  law,  and  was  made 
to  know  that  he  was  a  lost  and  ruined 
sinner.  At  about  twenty-one  years  cf 
age  he  received  a  hope  in  God's  rich 
mercy  and  grace;    soon  after  this  he 


united  with  the  Old  School  Baptist 
Church  called  Cheming,  in  Cheming 
County,  N.  Y.,  Elder  S.  H.  Durand  be- 
ing pastor.  For  some  time  he  was 
very  contented  and  happy,-  but  socn 
he  was  very  much  impressed  to  de- 
clare in  public  what  wonderful  things 
the  Lord  had  done  for  him,  and  in 
October,  1878,  he  was  ordained  by 
Elders  Win.  L.  Beebe,  Gilbert  Beebe, 
Balas  Bundy  and  Silas  H.  Durand. 
Very  soon  after  he  was  called  to  serve 
several  churches,  is  still  serving  some 
cf  his  first  churches,  and  at  present 
has  the  care  of  ten  churches.  He  has 
travelled  and  preached  in  fifteen 
states  and  Canada,  and  is  well  and 
favorably  known.  Elder  Vail  writes: 
"I  have  never  felt  that  my  services 
were  of  much,  if  any,  benefit  to  my 
brethren,  but  I  love  them,  and  they 
love  me,  and  that,  I  feel,  more  than 
compensate  me  for  my  services.  I 
have  never  desired  the  pastoral  care 
of  a  church,  as  I  have  never  felt  quali- 
fied for  the  office  and  it  has  been  with 
great  reluctance  that  I  have  consent- 
ed. Have  never  received  a  stated  sal- 
ary, but  each  member  bands  me  what 
is  in  their  heart  to  give,  and  the 
needs  of  myself  and  family — have 
raised  eight  children — have  always 
been  supplied  by  their  gifts  with  what 
I  have  myself  earned."  Elder  Vail  is 
one  of  our  most  faithful  pastors  and 
is  most  highly  esteemed  wherever  he 
goes. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


279 


MATTHIAS    MOUNT    VAN    CLEAVE. 

Van  Cleave,  Elder  Matthias  Mount, 
of  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  was  born  in 
Shelby  County,  Ky.,  November  26, 
1810;  moved  with  his  parents  to  Indi- 
ana in  1824  when  the  country  was  al- 
most a  wilderness;  united  with  Union 
Church  in  1828,  and  was  some  years 
afterwards  ordained  to  the  minister- 
ial work,  and  for  nearly  fifty  years 
proved  a  faithful  and  devoted  minis- 
ter. He  died  at  his  home  October  2G, 
1898,  in  his  eighty-seventh  year  of 
age.  As  a  man  he  was  almost  univer- 
sally esteemed,  and  had  the  commu- 
nity been  asked  tc  select  its  most 
affectionate,  kindest-hearted  man,  its 
most  faithful  and  devoted  believer  in 
God,  "Uncle  Mattie  Van  Cleave" 
v/ould  have  been  the  choice.  His  life 
was  a  blessing — his  end  was  peace. 
The  church  was  very  dear  to  him.  As 
a  nurse  cherisheth  her  children,  so  did 
he  live  and  labor  and  pray  for  the 
welfare  of  Zion.  Elder  Van  Cleave 
was  also  an  able,  comforting  writer. 
The  following  letter  written  by  him 
about  two  years  before  his  death  and 
printed  in  the  Gospel  Messenger,  I 
feel,  will  be  read  with  interest 
"Brethren  of  the  South,  and  of  Every 
Land  where  this  may  Come — I  send 
you  Greeting  in  the  Lord:  Grace, 
mercy  and  peace  be  multiplied  tc  you. 
What  is  there  to  compare  with  the 
love  of  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord?  It  has 
been  my  support  and  joy  for  three- 
score years;  I  trust  it  will  be  my  re- 
joicing in  the  world  everlasting.  The 
Lord  was  gocd  to  me  in  my  youth; 
now  he  is  everything,  and  in  heaven 
he  will  be  all  in  all.  I  remember  the 
day  of  youth,  when  I  have  often  gone 
on  foot  to  the  meetings  fourteen  miles 


away,  sometimes  walking,  sometimes 
running,  and  feeling  that  my  heart 
was  already  there.  Nc  time  is  so  dear 
to  memory  as  that  spent  in  trying  to 
serve  God;  no  friends  have  been  so 
dear  as  my  companions  in  the  church. 
It  gladdens  my  heart,  Bro.  Respess, 
to  know  that  you  have  been  under  my 
roof;  that  we  have  clasped  hands  and 
eaten  bread  together;  and  so  of  Bro. 
Hassell,  and  Bro.  Durand,  and  many 
more  of  whom  the  world  is  not 
worthy.  Thank  God  we  are  bound  to- 
gether in  the  one  hope  of  our  calling. 
One  destiny  remains  for  us;  one 
eternal  rest,  where  sin  and  tears  will 
have  no  remembrance.  The  crossing 
of  Jordan  is  not  far  distant;  ere  I 
touch  its  brim,  I  would  love  to  record 
the  mercy  of  my  God.  Have  I  not,  like 
gocd  old  Jacob,  seen  the  vision  of  a 
ladder  reaching  up  to  heaven?  Like 
him  I  would  set  up  a  stone  for  a  pil- 
lar and  pour  oil  upon  it  for  a  memo- 
rial to  Him  who  has  said,  'Behold  I 
am  with  thee,  and  will  keep  thee  in 
all  places  whither  thou  goest.'  But 
who  can  tell  of  the  Lord's  wonderful 
works?  I  can  say  with  David,  If  I 
would  speak  of  them,  they  are  more 
than  can  be  numbered.  Words  are 
weak  and  language  fails.  You,  whose 
hearts  have  sometimes  been  as  the 
Lord's  banqueting  house,  have  the 
witness  wdthin  yourselves.  You  know 
that  the  God  of  Jerusalem  rideth  upon 
the  heaven  in  thy  help,  and  in  his 
excellency  on  the  sky.  Blessed  be  the 
Lord,  in  his  name  we  will  set  up  our 
banners.  He  has  been  with  us  in 
many  dark  and  secret  hours,  in  joys 
and  sorrows,  in  sunshine  and  storm. 
He  has  given  His  people  grace;  He 
lives  to  give  them  glory.  Readers  cf 
the  Messenger  that  can  say  with  me, 
The  time  of  old  age  has  come,  have 
you  ever  seen  the  righteous  forsaken, 
or  his  seed  begging  bread?  Have  you 
ever  found  a  hope  like  the  good  hcpe 
of  grace?  Have'  you  ever  repented  the 
profession  you  have  made?  I  com- 
mend you  to  the  God  of  all  grace. 
With  cne  voice  let  us  praise  Him  for 
the  precious  things  of  heaven,  for  the 
dew,  and  the  deep  that  coucheth  be- 
neath, for  the  good  will  of  him  that 
dwelt  in  the  bush.  The  Lord's  pres- 
ence be  with  you  evermore.  A  dear 
farewell. — M.    M.   Van    Cleave." 


PERRY  VANDEVER. 

Vandever,  Elder  Perry,  of  Lola,  111., 
"was  born  in  the  state  of  Indiana  in 
1844,  and  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  in  1867  and  was  ordained  to 
the  work  of  the  ministry  in  1885,  and  is 


280 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


now  pastor  of  four  churches."  This 
brief  notice  of  Elder  Vandever  was 
copied  from  Elder  Patten's  Souvenir 
book  of  1895,  and  is  herein  published, 
all  efforts  of  the  editor  to  secure  data 
for  a  more  extended  notice  proved 
fruitless. 


ISAAC  NEWTON  VAN   METER 

Van  Meter,  Elder  Isaac  Newton 
(1816-1894),  of  Illinois.  This  gifted 
minister  of  Jesus,  was  born  in  Gray- 
son County,  Ky.,  and  was,  in  1839, 
married  to  Miss  Lucinda  Lawson.  To 
them  were  born  eleven  children.  He 
received  a  hope  in  Jesus  in  1833  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists  soon  after, 
and  soon  began  preaching.  After 
spending  about  twenty  years  serving 
churches  in  Kentucky  he  moved  to 
Illinois.  He  was  not  long  among 
strangers,  for  he  soon  found  the  little 
band  of  brethren  and  sisters  located  at 
Greenbush,  in  the  Spoon  River  Asso- 
ciation, called  New  Hope,  and  com- 
menced preaching  for  them,  putting  in 
his  letter,  and  continued  the  double 
relation  of  member  and  pastor  to  the 
day  of  his  death.  He  has  been  promi- 
nent and  influential  in  the  meetings  of 
the  Spoon  River  Association  almost 
from  the  time  of  his  coming  into  her 
bounds,  either  serving  as  clerk  or 
Moderator,  and  invariably  giving  the 
best  of  satisfaction  in  either  capacity. 
As  a  man  and  a  christian  I  think  it  can 
truthfully  be  said  that  he  was  as  near 
as  it  is  possible  for  man  to  be;  vigi- 
lant, sober,  of  good  behavior,  given  to 
hospitality,    apt    to    teach,    not    given 


to  wine  no  striker,  not  greedy  of  filthy 
lucre,  but  patient,  not  a  brawler,  not 
covetous,  one  that  ruled  his  own 
house  well,  having  his  children  in  sub- 
jection, with  all  gravity.  As  a  pastor 
his  undivided  time  was  given  to  the 
work,  and  but  very  few  were  the  times 
that  his  churches  were  disappointed 
by  a  failure  on  his  part.  His  gift  In 
preaching  and  expounding  the  script- 
ures covered  the  entire  range  of  the 
gospel,  including  doctrine,  christian 
experience  and  practical  godliness, 
often  closing  his  solemn  sermon  with 
an  impressive  exhortation  to  his 
brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ  to  walk 
worthy  of  the  vocation  wherewith  they 
were  called.  As  a  writer  his  corre- 
spondence and  communications  pub- 
lished in  the  Signs  of  the  Times  and 
other  Baptist  periodicals,  and  read 
throughout  the  United  States  and 
Canada,  as  well  as  his  book  called 
"Walks  About  Zion,"  and  also  his 
Pocket  Hymns,  all  attest  the  high  or- 
der of  his  ability  in  the  field  of  litera- 
ture. His  experience  in  verse  writ- 
ten by  himself  is  so  full  of  the  Spirit's 
teaching  that  it  is  herewith  appended: 

"In  eighteen  hundred  thirty-three, 
It  pleased  the  Lord  to  let  me  see 
The  dangerous  state  that  I  was  in, 
All  covered  with  a  cloak  of  sin. 

He  taught  me  first  that  I  was  blind 
And  always  was  to  sin  inclined, 
Also  that  I  had  always  stood, 
Opposed  to  God  and  what  was  good. 

I  then  was  filled  with  many  fears, 
For  I  have  spent  full  eighteen  years 
In  sin  and  folly,  and  could  see 
No  way  for  my  recovery. 

I  viewed  the  terror  of  the  Lord 
And  thought  that  he  my  soul  abhorred; 
He  seemed  to  frown  me  from  his  face 
And  say:  'With  me  you  have  no  place.' 

I  thought  while  in  this  state  of  mind, 
I  was  the  worst  of  all  mankind, 
I  would  have  changed  my  doleful  case 
With  any  one  of  Adam's  race. 

I  viewed  the  Christian's  happy  state, 
With  a  desire  to  be  his  mate; 
Yet  felt  ashamed  to  show  my  face, 
And  rather  sought  some  secret  place. 

I  felt  like  I  was  one  alone, 
That  like  me  surely  there  was  none; 
No  friend  on  earth  nor  yet  in  heaven, 
Nor  hope  that  I  should  be  forgiven. 

But  wondrous  and  almighty  grace! 
The  Lord  unveiled  his  smiling  face 
And  had  me  come  to  Him  and  live 
And  said,  'I  freely  all  forgive.' 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


281 


It  was  August,  the  last  day, 
That  he  removed  ray  guilt  away, 
And  spoke  with  such  a  charming  voice, 
That  all  within  me  did  rejoice. 

His  glorious  face  I  did  behold, 
With  such  a  joy  as  can't  be  told; 
The  whole  creation  seemed  to  be 
Praising  the  Lord  in  harmony. 

Oh,  Wondrous  love,  amazing  grace! 
1  never  shall  forget  the  place 
Where  God  revealed  his  love  to  me 
And  set  my  soul  at  liberty. 

What  is  this  world  with  all  its  fame, 
Compared  with  Jesus'  precious  name! 
What  are  its  vain  and  transient  toys, 
Compared  with  God's  eternal  joys! 

O  Lord,  since  thou  hast  been  so  kind 
And  gracious  as  to  change  my  mind, 
Since  thou  hast  been  so  good  to  me, 
May  I  forsake  the  world  for  thee! 


WILEY   A.   VIA. 

Via,   Elder  Wiley  A.    (1843-1902),  of 
Virginia,  was  born  in  Franklin  Coun- 


ty, and  after  a  useful  life  died  in  the 
same  county.  He  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  called  Long  Branch, 
in  1865,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
T.  L.  Roberson.  He  was  chosen  dea- 
con in  1870  and  licensed  to  preach  in 
1873,  and  was  the  following  year,  or- 
dained by  Elders  G.  L,  Tuggle,  I.  L. 
Robinson,  W.  R.  Radford  and  Asa  D. 
Short.  In  1878  he  was  elected  clerk  cf 
Smith's  River  Association  and  served 
as  clerk  until  his  death,  was  a  good 
man,  a  comforting  preacher  anu  ad- 
mired for  the  Christian  virtues  he 
possessed.  He  had  a  noble  heart  and 
was  much  given  to  hospitality.  At  the 
time  of  his  death  he  was  serving  two 
churches.  He  alsc  proved  to  be  a 
faithful  soldier  in  the  war  between 
the  states,  and  remained  in  the  army 
till  the  surrender.  He  also  served  his 
county  as  a  constable,  commissioner 
of  the  revenue,  land  assessor  and 
school  trustee.  Much  more  could  be 
said  concerning  this  good  man,  but 
all  that  we  could  say  would  add  noth- 
ing in  the  minds  of  those  who  were 
acquainted   with  him. 


w 


ISAIAH   WAGGONER. 

Waggoner,  Elder  Isaiah,  of  Clarks, 
Neb.,  "was  born  in  Moultrie  County, 
111.,  August  17,  1835,  united  with  Linn 
Creek  Church  in  March,  18G3,  and 
moving  to  Missouri,  was  licensed  to 
preach  in  Liberty  Church,  Linn  Coun- 


ty, Mo.,  in  1871,  and  was  ordained  in 
Blue  River  Church,  Saline  County, 
Mo.,  May  10,  1873.  He  now  has  a  mem- 
bership with  the  Baptists  in  Nebras- 
ka, where  he  lives."  Efforts  to  secure 
ftirther    data   proved   fruitless. 


JAMES    WAGENER. 

Wagener,  Elder  James,  of  Dechard, 
Tenn.,  "was  born  in  Franklin  County, 
Tenn.,  December  25,  1821;  convicted 
cf  sin  in  his  nineteenth  year  and  after 
deep  conviction  was  given  a  hope  in 
the  perfect  work  of  Jesus,  but  linger- 
ed outside  the  church  in  the  neglect 
of  duty  for  about  fourteen  years.  In 
1854  he  united  with  Old  Macedonia 
Church  and  was  baptized  by  Elder 
John  P.  Walker.  The  following  year 
he  was  crdained  by  Elders  Elijah 
Turner,  I.  E.  Douthit  and  Richard 
Fain."  Further  information  of  Elder 
Wagener's  life  and  labors  could  not 
be  obtained. 


THOMAS    B.    WALDRIP. 

Waldrip,  Elder  Thomas  B.,  of  Miss- 
issippi, died  at  his  home  in  Lafayette 
County.   November  IS,  1889.     He  was 


282 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


born  June  15,  1848  and  married  to 
Blanche  H.  Woolen,  December  16,  1869, 
Elder  Waldrip  was  in  many  respects  a 
very  remarkable  man.  He  had  few  of 
the  opportunities  that  his  native  abil- 
ity entitled  him  to,  but  by  earnest  and 
persistent  effort  he  acquired  such  a 
degree  of  intelligence,  and  gained  the 
confidence  of  the  people  to  such  a  de- 
gree that  they  required  him  to  serve 
three  terms  as  magistrate,  and  then 
sent  him  two  consecutive  terms  to  the 
legislature,  and  probably  would  have 
continued  him  longer  in  that  or  some 
other  positions  but  he  declined,  say- 
ing: "I  have  delayed  long  enough,  I 
must  get  about  my  Master's  busi- 
ness." Brother  Waldrip  was  received 
into  the  church  and  baptized  Novem- 
ber, 1880,  licensed  in  the  spring  of 
1884,  but  was  opposed  to  being  or- 
dained and  stoutly  refused  to  submit 
until  the  church  demanded  that  he 
should  be  set  apart  to  the  ministry, 
wh'ch  was  done  in  September,  1888, 
which  position  he  filled  to  the  great 
satisfaction  of  his  brethren  and  sis- 
ters for  only  a  little  over  one  year. 
This  reminds  us  that  the  way  of  the 
Lord  is  past  finding  out. 


E.   W.  WALKER. 

Walker,  Elder  E.  W.   (1836-1901),  of 

Tennessee,  was  born  in  Warren 
County,  Tenn ,  and  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Mead,  of  Lincoln  County, 
Tenn.,  1867.  He  had  an  impressive  ex- 
perience of  grace  while  at  school,  but 
did  not  join  the  church  till  after  the 
Civil  war  cf  the  sixties  in  which  he 
performed  an  important  and  faithful 
part  on  the  Confederate  side.  His  first 
union  with  the  church  was  at  Con- 
cord, which  he  joined  in  December, 
18G7,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Jno. 
E.  Frost.  He  was  one  of  the  seventeen 
members  who  organized  the  church 
at  Buckeye  in  1871,  and  was  abcut 
this  time -ordained  to  the  ministry. 
Thence  to  the  day  of  his  death,  with 
a  short  interval,  he  was  pastor  of  that 
church.  Elder  Walker  was  great  in  all 
the  attributes  of  character  that  en- 
noble a  citizen  of  this  world.  But 
greater  in  devotion  to  the  welfare  cf 
spiritual  Israel,  the  Zion  of  the  Lord, 
and  the  doctrinal  truths  that  distin- 
guished her  from  the  religious  socie- 
ties of  the  world.  Few  of  the  servants 
of  the  Lord  had  a  deeper  insight  into 
the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christ 
than  he.  He  gave  strict  heed  to  Paul's 
injunction  to  Timothy,  "Give  attend- 
ance   to    reading,      to    exhortation,    to 


doctrine."  Great  doctrinal  truths  en- 
gaged his  mind  with  eager  interest, 
and  yet  he  often  dwelt  on  the  import- 
ance of  exhortation,  and  exhorted  to 
the  performance  of  the  practical 
duties  of  church  membership  and  the 
duties  of  ordinary  citizenship. 


J.   N.   WALLACE. 

Wallace,  Elder  J.  N.,  of  Providence, 

Ky.,  was  born  in  Henry  County, 
Tenn,  November  8,  1862;  raised  by 
Primitive  Baptist  parents,  received  a 
hope  in  Jesus  in  his  twelfth  year, 
united  with  Union  Church  at  the  age 
of  nineteen  and  baptized  by  Elder  J. 
G.  Webb.  Two  years  later  he  began 
preaching,  and  was  in  April,  1883  or- 
dained to  the  full  work  of  the  minis- 
try since  which  time  he  has  had  the 
care  of  four  churches  almost  contin- 
uously and  has  traveled  and  preached 
in  several  states.  He  now  serves 
Union,  Stcney  Point,  Flat  Creek,  and 
the  church  at  Providence,  where  he 
now  resides.  In  1884  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Annie  Gibson,  is  highly  es- 
teemed by  his  brethren  and  faithful 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  a 
servant  in  the  Master's  vineyard.  For 
some  years  he  has  served  as  modera- 
tor of  the  Highland  Association  of 
Regular  Baptists. 


THOMAS    N.    WALTON. 

Walton,  Elder  Thomas  N.,  of  Dan- 
ville, Va.,  was  born  on  top  of  the 
White  Oak  Mountains  in  Pittsylvania 
County,  Va.,  in  1853'.  From  the  time 
he  was  about  four  years  of  age  until 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


283 


nineteen  tie  had  distressing  thoughts 
of  death.  But  in  his  nineteenth  year 
God  convicted  him  of  sin  and  after 
much  distress  of  mind  and  vain  ef- 
forts to  satisfy  the  law  was  brought  to 
the  footstool  of  mercy  and  found 
Christ  the  sinners'  friend  as  his  advo- 
cate with  the  Father.  He  united  with 
Mt.  Arrarat  Church  in  1874  and  was 


THOMAS  N.   WALTON 

baptized  by  Elder  J.  S.  Dameron.  His 
gift  was  scon  discovered  by  the 
church,  and  he  was,  in  1880  ordained 
by  Elders  W.  S.  McDowell  and  W.  S. 
Minter.  Since  then  he  has  had  the 
care  of  churches  and  has  traveled  and 
preached  considerably  among  his 
brethren  and  is  held  in  high  esteem. 
For  about  twenty  years  he  has  been 
the  beloved  moderator  of  the  Staun- 
ton  River  Association. 


JAMES  M.  WARD. 

Ward,  Elder  James  M.  of  Illinois,  was 
born  in  Mason  county,  W.  Va.,  No- 
vember 15,  1813.  His  mother  died 
when  he  was  but  a  small  child  and 
his  father  when  he  was  eight  years 
old.  He  lived  in  Virginia  until  he  was 
fourteen  years  old  and  went  from 
there  to  Illinois,  residing  there  until 
he  enlisted  in  the  Black  Hawk  war  in 
1832,  serving  his  time  and  re-enlist- 
ing. Soon  after  that  war  he  went  to 
Dubuque,  Iowa.  In  the  year  1855  he 
moved  to  Missouri,  locating  in  Harri- 
son County;  he  lived  there  ten  years 
and  then  moved  to  Davies  County, 
where  he  lived  until  his  death.  In 
1841  he  united  with  the  Old  School 
Predestinarian  Baptist  Church,  was 
licensed  to  preach  by  this   church  in 


1853,  and  was  ordained  to  preach  in 
the  year  1SGG.  He  has  served  Sugar 
Creek  Church  in  Davies  County  for 
almost  fifty  years.  He  died  February 
6,  1905,  at  the  age  of  ninety-one.  He 
is  survived  by  a  wife  and  nine  chil- 
dren, twenty-four  grandchildren  and 
eighteen  great-grandchildren.  The 
daily  life  of  Elder  Ward  was  such  as 
to  win  for  him  the  respect  and  esteem 
of  all  classes:  his  memory  will  be  re- 
vered by  many,  his  kind  deeds  and 
worthy  acts  cherished,  and  his  noble 
life  will  long  be  an  inspiration  to 
those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 


B.  R.  WARREN. 

Warren,  Elder  B.  R.,  .of  .Bentley, 
111.,  "was  born  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky., 
January  10,  1816.  He  united  with 
Todd's  Creek  Church,  Piatt  County, 
Missouri,  and  was  ordained  in  Clear 
Creek  Church,  near  Kearney,  Mo.,  on 
the  second  Saturday  in  August,  1850, 
and  has  since  served  as  pastor  of 
churches.  His  faith  is  strong  in  salva- 
tion by  grace,  and  he  awaits  in  hope 
his  release  from  this  world."  This 
brief  sketch  is  from  Elder  Cash's 
book  of  1896,  and  further  information 
could  not  be  secured. 


WILLIAM    WARREN. 

Warren,  Elder  William,  of  Kearney, 
Mo.,  was  born  in  Bourbon  County, 
Ky.,  May  14,  -822,  and  moving  to  Mis- 
souri united  with  Clear  Creek  Church 


284 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


of  Primitive  Baptists  in  July,  1847.  He 
was  ordained  in  August,  1865.  In  his 
old  age  he  still  loves  the  doctrine  of 
grace.  Detail  information  relative  to 
his  labors  could  not  be  obtained. 


PLUMMER   WATERS. 

Waters,  Elder  Plummer  (1787-1865), 
of  Maryland.  This  able,  faithful  and 
greatly  beloved  minister  was  in  the 
service  of  churches  in  his  native  state 
for  nearly  half  a  century.  Early  in 
life  he  was  made  to  feel  the  exceeding 
sinfulness  of  sin,  was  given  a  view  of 
Jesus  as  his  sin  bearer,  united  with 
the  Old  School  Baptists  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  William  Wilson.  Elder 
Waters  was  noted  for  his  faithfulness, 
his  zeal  in,  and  love  for,  the  cause  of 
truth,  given  to  hospitality  and  kindly 
disposed  he  was  greatly  loved  by 
those  who  best  knew  him,  and  wield- 
ed a  great  influence  for  good  in  his 
community. 


CHAS.    H.   WATERS,    (M.    D.) 

Waters,  Elder  Chas.  H.,  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  This  good  natured, 
cheerful  and  hospitable  man,  gifted 
preacher,  able  writer  and  teacher  and 
successful  physician,  was  born  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  Waters  in  Hancock 
County,  Md.,  July  1,  1849.  The  early 
years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  teach- 
ing. From  the  school  room  as  teacher 
he  went  to  college  as  a  medical  stu- 
dent, graduated  in  medicine  at  the 
University  of  Maryland  in  1871,  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Mont- 
gomery    County,     Md.,  and     was  the 


same  year  married  to  Miss  Ella  Yates, 
a  daughter  of  Elder  P.  W.  Yates.  The 
following  year — 1872 — he  and  his  wife 
united  with  Columbia  Church  and 
were  baptized  by  Elder  Yates.  The 
gift  to  the  church  in  Bro.  Waters  was 
soon  discovered,  he  began  preaching 
in  1878,  and  in  1880,  was  ordained  by 
Elders  P.  W.  Yates  and  L.  B.  Wynne. 
Having  a  large  family  and  wishing  to 
educate  them  well  he  established,  in 
1886,  the  "Fairview  Seminary,"  a 
school  of  high  reputation  and  moral 
standing,  in  which  many  Baptist  girls 
as  well  as  girls  not  of  Baptist  persua- 
sion, were  educated.  Among  the  girls 
from  our  own  people  as  patrons  of 
this  high-class  and  popular  school 
might  be  mentioned  the  daughters  of 
Elders  J.  J.  Gilbert  of  Kentucky,  J.  H. 
Purefoy  of  Alabama,  M.  T.  Lawrence 
of  North  Carolina,  T.  N.  Alderton  of 
West  Virginia,  and  T.  S.  Dalton  of 
Virginia.  The  work  of  this  seminary 
was  terminated  after  eighteen  years 
of  usefulness  when  the  furniture  and 
building  were  destroyed  by  fire.  At 
present  Dr.  Waters  is  practicing  med- 
icine in  Washington  City  and  has  the 
pastoral  care  of  the  Washington  City 
Church,  and  the  Seneca  and  Columbia 
Churches  in  Maryland.  He  is  also 
editor  of  Zion's  Advocate.  His  life  is 
a  busy  and  useful  one,  and  he  is 
greatly  loved  for  his  faithfulness  to 
the  cause  of  truth,  his  liberality  to  the 
poor  and  for  his  kind,  cheerful  and 
sympathetic    nature. 


JOHN    H.  WATSON    (M.   D.) 

Watson,  Elder  John  M.  (1798-1866). 
was  eminent  as  a  minister,  writer  and 
physician.    He   was   a   man    of    liberal 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


285 


education,  of  great  moral  worth,  of 
deep  piety,  of  extensive  influence,  and 
of  profound  research.  Such  was  his 
conscientious  feelings  in  regard  to 
Christian  duty,  and  such  his  continual 
watchfulness  in  reference  to  his  con- 
duct, that  from  the  time  of  his  union 
with  the  church  to  the  day  of  his 
death,  a  period  of  at  least  forty  years, 
not  a  blot  or  stain  has  been  known  to 
attach  to  his  character  as  a  Christian. 
He  was  the  son  of  Peter  and  Eliza- 
beth Watson;  was  born  in  Rocking- 
ham County,  N.  C;  at  the  age  of  ten 
moved  with  his  widowed  mother  to 
Williamson  County,  Tenn,  where  he 
attended  the  public  schools,  and  in  a 
few  years  was  placed  in  the  office  of 
Dr.  Housack  of  New  York  City.  In  duo 
time  he  graduated  from  the  College 
of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  New 
York,  returned  home  with  honors  and 
was  the  recipient  of  many  other  hon- 
ors at  the  hands  of  his  home  people. 
These  honors  were  too  much  for  him. 
He  took  to  drink,  and  was  thrown.  He 
arose,  but  drank  on  and  was  again 
thrown,  became  a  common  drunkard 
—had  delirium  tremens,  recovered, 
and  drank  again,  and  was  again 
thrown.,  and  became  a  poor,  shivering 
inebriate.  But  God  took  his  feet  from 
the  mire  and  clay  and  established  his 
goings.  He  was  reclaimed  by  Divine 
grace,  from  the  paths  of  vice  and 
ruin,  experienced  a  deep  sense  of  ob- 
ligation which  he  was  under  to  the 
Almighty;  received  a  hope  in  Jesus 
for  the  pardon  of  sin,  "conferred  not 
with  flesh  and  blood,"  but  immediate- 
ly went  forth  in  the  direction  of 
Christian  duty.  After  a  prayerful  and 
diligent  study  of  the  holy  Scriptures, 
he  to  the  astonishment  of  his  many 
friends,  united  with  the  Primitive  or 
Old  School  Baptists  at  Wilson's  Creek 
Church  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn., 
believing  that  these  people  held  the 
pure  doctrine  of  faith  "once  delivered 
to  the  saints,"  together  with  the  prim- 
itive order  of  Christianity.  He  was 
soon  after  ordained  to  the  ministerial 
work.  He  preached  his  first  sermon 
from  the  text,  "The  Scripture," — his 
second  from,  "Thus  saith  the  Lord," 
and  from  that  moment  until  he  was 
no  longer  able  to  stand  in  the  pulpit, 
he  preached  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and 
became  the  leading  minister  of  the 
old  order  of  Baptists  in  Tennessee. 
Dr.  Watson  was  also  famous  in  other 
lines.  As  a  physician  and  surgeon  he 
had  no  equal  in  the  state.  As  a  teach- 
er of  his  specialty  in  the  University  of 
Nashville  he  had  no  equal  in  our 
country.     In   his     lectures     he   never 


strove  to  be  eloquent,  but  clear,  com- 
pact and  fcrceful,  and  every  student 
pronounced  him  at  once  a  master 
teacher.  As  a  writer  he  was  precise, 
painstaking,  clear  and  fluent.  His  con- 
tributions to  the  Nashville  Journal  of 
Medicine  yielded  extracts  to  the 
standards  of  systematic  medicine,  and 
his  religious  writings,  especially  the 
"Old  Baptist  Test" — a  book  that  has 
passed  through  two  editions, — show 
the  deep  spiritual  nature,  the  loving 
heart  and  the  strong  and  trained  mind 
of  the  writer.  And  there  could  not  be 
found,  perhaps,  a  more  liberal  man 
than  Dr.  Watson.  His  liberality  was 
the  subject  of  discussion  among  his 
neighbors  after  his  death  and  it  was 
agreed  by  his  neighbors  that  he  had 
given  away  in  absolute  dollars,  an 
amount  exceeding  one  hundred  thou- 
sand. To  the  poor  he  was  the  kindest 
of  men.  Only  in  eternity  will  it  be 
known  what  he  did  for  them.  Just  be- 
fore his  death  he  wrote:  "My  physi- 
cians are  doubtful  of  my  recovery.*  * 
Now,  I  may  say,  apparently  in  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  have  no  recanta- 
tions to  make  about  the  doctrine  for 
which  I  have  so  long  contended,  and 
trust  that  it  will  stand  the  test  of 
death.  My  prayer  is,  that  I  may  die 
with  this  blessed  doctrine  as  much 
impressed  upon  my  heart,  as  it  was 
while  trying  to  preach  it.  O!  Lord,  let 
the  pulpit  and  the  death-bed  be  the 
same  to  me  in  that  respect."  And  so  it 
was.  In  the  full  triumphs  of  faith  he 
crossed  the  river  cf  death,  his  last 
words  being, — "I  am  going  in  peace." 


C.  M.  WEAVER. 

Weaver,  Elder  C.  M.,  of  Ewing,  III. 
The  editor  failing  to  secure  data  of  a 
more  recent  date  from  which  to  pre- 
pare a  notice  of  Elder  Weaver,  quotes 
the  following  from  EMer  Potter's  book 
of  1895.  "He  was  born  in  Jackson 
County,  III.,  on  the  fifteenth  day  of 
February,  1867,  and  joined  the  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Church  in  1S88,  and  was 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry 
in  1892,  and  is  now  the  pastor  of  three 
churches." 


THOMAS    WEAVER. 

Weaver,  Elder  Thomas  of  Fountain 
City,  Tenn.,  at  present  and  for  thir- 
teen years  past,  the  beloved  modera- 
tor of  Powell's  Valley  Association  and 
associate  editor  of  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist,   was    born    in    Campbell    County, 


286 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


Term..  May  23,  1845,  received  a  hope 
in  Jesus  in  his  twenty-third  year  of 
age  and  one  year  later  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  Mossy  Springs 
Church  in  Union  County,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Wm.  Bridges.  He  was 
soon  licensed  to  preach  and  in  1871 
was  ordained  by  Elders  Wm.  Williams 
and  William  Bridges,  since  which 
time  he  has  continuously  had  the  care 
of  churches  and  is  at  present  serving 


THOMAS  WEAVER 

three.  Elder  Weaver  has,  during  his 
thirty-eight  years  of  service  in  the 
Master's  vineyard  baptized  many  be- 
lievers into  the  fellowship  of  the 
church,  served  in  the  constitution  of 
several  churches,  assisted  in  the  ordi- 
nation of  many  deacons  and  elders  and 
has  traveled  and  preached  among  the 
Baptists  in  several  states.  He  is  a 
worthy  and  highly  esteemed  minister. 


J.   G.   WEBB. 

Webb,  Elder  J.  G.,  of  Tioga,  Texas, 
This  fearless,  bold  and  self-sacrificing 
minister  and  editor  was  born  in  West 
Tennessee,  March  9,  1849.  Joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  in  1874;  was 
ordained  in  1878;  has  served  from  one 
to  five  churches  since  his  ordination; 
has  baptized  about  six  hundred  per- 
sons; assisted  in  the  constitution  of 
many  churches  and  in  the  ordination 
of  quite  a  number  of  ministers  and 
deacons  and  has  married  a  great  many 
people;  has  traveled  a  great  deal; 
preached  in  about  ten  states  and  two 
territories;  engaged  in  about  thirty 
religious  discussions  and  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  publication  of  the  Bap- 
tist Trumpet  for  fifteen  years.    He  has 


never  belonged  to  any  society  or  or- 
ganization in  life  except  the  church; 
has  always  opposed  members  of  the 
church  affiliating  with  secret  orders 
and  the  use  of  instrumental  music  in 
the  church  as  a  part  of  worship  and 
has  always  been  outspoken  in  his  re- 
ligious views.  He  is  now  serving 
three  churches,  his  home  church  num- 
bering about  one  hundred  and  thirty, 
has  never  had  a  doctrinal  difference 
among  his  churches  and  has  been 
greatly  blessed  in  his  labors  as  pastor. 
The  Lord  has  also  blessed  him  with 
unusual  good  health  through  life,  with 


J.   G.   WEBB 

a  true  and  loyal  companion  and  six  de- 
voted children.  His  time  and  his  tal- 
ent have  been  given  freely  to  the  serv- 
ice of  the  Baptists  in  the  cause  of  God 
and  truth  and  now  as  he  nears  the  end 
of  his  race  he  has  no  regrets.  Though 
worldly  advantages  have  been  neg- 
lected and  he  is  what  is  called  a  poor 
man  yet  no  charge  has  ever  been  pre- 
ferred against  him  and  such  a  good 
name  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than 
great  riches.  He  says:  "The  Baptists 
have  been  good  to  me,  and  I  hope  to 
die  in  their  fellowship."  How  much 
better  it  is  to  be  able  to  choose  to  suf- 
fer affliction  with  the  people  than  to 
enjoy  the  pleasure  of  sin  for  a  season. 


T.    L.    WEBB. 

Webb,  Elder  T.  L.,  of  Ingram,  Tex., 
the  son  of  Elder  J.  G.  Webb  of  Tioga, 
Tex.,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  January 
15,  1S74;  received  a  hope  in  Christ  at 
the  age  of  fifteen,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  Harmony 
Church  in  Fannin  Ccunty,  Tex.,  July, 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


287 


1900,  was  baptized  by  Elder  J.  W. 
Herriage,  and  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  April  26,  1902,  by  the 
following  presbytery:  Elders  J.  W. 
Herriage,  J.  G.  W>ebb,  J.  W.  Segler,  R. 
C.  Taylor,  M.  L.  Barrett,  P.  D.  Aus- 
mus  and  Willie  L.  Barrett.  He  is  one 
of  the  editors  of  the  Baptist  Trumpet, 


T.     L.    WEBB 

published  at  Tioga,  Tex.,  with  which 
he  has  been  connected  for  many 
years.  Elder  W.ebb  is  a  fluent  writer, 
convincing  speaker  and  an  able  de 
fender  of  the  cause  of  Jesus.  His  ser- 
vices are  being  blessed  to  the  comfort 
of  many  of  God's  children. 


DANIEL    SMITH    WEBB. 

Webb,  Elder  Daniel  Smith,  of  Hills- 
ville,  Va.,  son  of  Elder  Isaac  and  Ma- 
lesia  Jane  Webb,  was  born  in  Carroll 
County,  Va.,  March  5,  1855.  The  sec- 
ond Sunday  morning  in  June,  1867,  he 
was  riding  along  horseback  thinking 
that  some  day  he  would  be  a  rich 
man,  and  at  a  very  old  age  would  get 
religion.  Suddenly  a  very  dark  object 
appeared  coming  directly  at  him,  with 
a  glittering  sharp  point  in  front  of  it, 
and  like  lightning  it  thrust  through 
him  and  a  voice  said,  "Already  too 
late."  He  began  to  pray,  was  deeply 
convicted  of  sin  and  for  Ave  years 
lamented  his  condition,  and  sought 
the  mercy  of  God,  in  tears  and  with 
groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered 
One  night  in  June,  1872,  while  on  his 
bed  death  seized  him.  He  tried  to  call 
his  father  but  could  not  speak,  and 
felt  doomed  to  the  dark  pit  of  destruc- 
tion. With  his  last  breath  he  prayed, 
"Lord,  save  me."  He  heard  the  sweet- 


est sound  of  music  and  looking  up 
saw  a  white  cord  letting  down  from 
heaven  and  a  bud  on  the  end  just 
ready  to  open.  The  bud  entered  into 
his  bosom  and  took  him  out  of  the 
world.  He  saw  the  world  a  black  ball 
and  God  fanned  it  out  of  existence 
with  one  fan  of  his  hand.  He  then 
said,  "Surely,  God  can  be  just  and 
forgive  sins  for  He  with  one  fan  of 
his  hand  can  blot  this  earth  out,  and 
now,  O  Lord,  may  I  return  to  my 
body,  tnat  I  may  tell  to  others  what 
a  dear  Saviour  I  have  found."  In  this 
vision  he  returned  to  his  body  and 
felt  free  from  sin  and  that  he  would 
never  have  any  more  sorrow.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1873,  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Ellen  Edwards,  a  God-given  compan- 
ion, and  in  1875  both  joined  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church.  One  night 
he  dreamed  he  was  under  a  white 
cloud  and  a  white  hand  and  arm  put 
through  and  the  neck  of  a  phial  pro- 
truded out  of  the  palm  of  the  hand 
and  annointed  him  to  go  and  preach, 
and  his  wife  dreamed  the  same  thing. 
Later  he  dreamed  of  preaching  and 
baptizing  the  young  and  old,  the  rich 
and  poor  and  hearing  the  Lord's  peo- 
ple shouting,  and  his  wife  dreamed 
the  same  thing  at  the  same  time. 
Again  he  dreamed  that  ten  elders  met 
at  Harmony  Church  and  ordained  him 
to  preach,  and  said,  "Go,  and  as  you 
go, preach."  And  he  sprang  out  of  bed 
and  exclaimed,  "Lord,  I'll  go,"  and  his 
wife  saw  the  same  vision  and  told  it 
to  him.  Confirmed  cf  the  heavenly 
calling,  he  began  preaching  in  1886, 
was  ordained  in  1887,  by  the  same  ten 
elders  that  he  and  his  wife  saw  in  the 
dream  four  years  before.  He  has  often 
times  been  warned  in  dreams  of  dan- 
gers coming  to  the  church,  and  many 
times  has  dreamed  of  ingatherings  at 
certain  churches,  and  of  certain  noble 
people  joining,  and  has  lived  to  see 
these  dreams  fulfilled.  Elder  Webb's 
service  in  the  ministry  has  been  bless- 
ed of  the  Lord.  He  has  baptized  about 
seven  hundred  persons  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  Baptist  Church  and  in  the 
evening  of  life  writes:  "Faith  in  God 
is  my  only  staff,  hope  in  Christ  my 
greatest  riches  and  the  fellowship  cf 
the  brethren  my  sweetest  pleasure." 
His  good  wife  died  February  6,  1908, 
leaving  himself,  eight  sons  and  three 
daughters  as  sorrowing  members  of 
the  broken  family. 


ISAAC  WEBB. 

Webb,  Elder  Isaac,  of  Hillsville,  Va. 
This  gifted  and  useful  man  is  the  sixth 
son   of  John   and   Hannah  Webb   and 


288 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


was  born  in  Grayson  County,  Va.,  No- 
vember 26,  1833.  Was  taugbt  by  his 
mother,  who  Avas  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church  before  his  birth,  to  read 
the  Bible,  at  the  tender  age  of  seven, 
and  he  has  read  it  through  ten  times 
since,  and  is  fully  established  in  its 
teachings.  When  a  little  boy  eight 
years  of  age,  he  dreamed  of  seeing  and 
conversing  with  Jesus,  and  from  time 
to  time  afterward  was  taught  in 
visions  and  dreams  to  view  his  lost 
condition,  his   salvation  in  Jesus,   his 


ISAAC   WEBB 

duty  toward  the  church  and  his  call  to 
the  ministry,  but  was  for  a  long  time 
disobedient.  In  his  eighteenth  year  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Melissa  J.  Martin 
and  their  children,  grand  children  and 
great  grand  children  and  their  families 
now  number  about  one  hundred  and 
sixty-five.  He  and  his  wife  united 
with  Fellowship  Church  in  1857.  In 
1865  on  his  return  from  the  war,  where 
he  voluntarily  went  to  keep  from 
preaching,  he  was  licensed,  and  three 
years  later  was  ordained  to  the  minis- 
terial work.  Elder  Webb  has  contin- 
ually since  his  ordination,  had  the  care 
of  churches  and  is  at  present  pastor 
of  four,  and  Moderator  of  the  New 
River  Association.  He  has  been  in  the 
ministry  about  forty-three  years  and 
during  this  period  has  traveled  many 
miles  preaching  the  gospel  of  Christ, 
has  baptized  many  persons,  married 
many  couples  and  is  highly  esteemed 
among  his  people.  He  has  also,  in  his 
past  busy  life,  taught  twenty-five 
schools,  served  twelve  years  as  county 
treasurer,  fifteen  years  as  military  offi- 
cer, two  terms  in  the  legislature  and 
judge  under  part  of  two  legislative  ap- 
pointments. He  and  his  faithful  wife 
have  lived  to  see  all  their  children  but 


one,  with  their  companions  and  sev- 
eral grand  children,  members  of  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church.  Their  faith- 
ful labors  have  been  blessed.  God  is 
still  their  refuge  and  though  growing 
feeble  in  body  they  are  strong  in  the 
Lord  and  are  waiting  the  summons, 
"Child,  your  Father  calls,  come  home." 


Q.  D.  WEEKS. 

Weeks,  Elder  Q.  D.,  of  Willis,  Va., 
was  born  October  31,  1852,  married  to 
Miss  Eliza  E.  Hylton  in  1874,  convicted 
of  sin  and  given  a  hope  in  Jesus  and 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptists  at 
West  Fork  Church,  Floyd  County,  Va., 
began  preaching  in  1880  and  was  four 
years  later  ordained  to  the  gospel 
work.  He  has  served  as  pastor  of  the 
following  churches,  West  Fork,  twenty- 
two  years,  Indiana  Creek,  fourteen 
years,  Panther's  Creek,  twelve  years, 
Greasy  Creek  and  Corners  ten  years, 
and  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship 
of  his  churches  about  one  hundred 
and  sixty  persons.  He  is  at  present, 
and  has  been  for  several  years 
past,  clerk  of  the  Swiss  River  Associa- 
tion, and  his  desire  is  to  honor  God 
and  be  of  service  to  his  people.  He 
prefers  his  brethren  before  himself 
and  is  greatly  loved  by  them. 


JOHN    WELSH. 

Welsh,  Elder  John,  of  Maryland, 
was  one  of  the  pioneer  Baptist 
preachers  in  the  early  part  of  the 
eighteenth  century.  He  united  with 
the  Baptists  long  before  the  division 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Louis 
Richards.  For  a  long  time  he  served 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


289 


as  pastor  of  Hammond's  Branch 
Church  in  Howards  County,  and  oth- 
er churches  in  Maryland,  and  was 
considered  an  able  and  faithful  min- 
ister. 

I.    A.    WETHERINGTON. 

Wetherington,  Eider  I.  A.,  of  Lake 
Park,  Ga.,  is  the  faithful  and  beloved 
moderator  of  Union  Association  of 
Old  Line  Primitive  Baptists,  and  has 
the  care  of  Antioch,  Olive  Leaf,  Unity 
and  Wayfare  churches.  Elder  Weth- 
erington is  an  able  minister  of  the 
New  Testament  and  desires  to  take 
nothing  from,  or  add  to,  this  blessed 
book,   in   doctrine   or   practice. 


V.   D.  WHATLEY. 

Whatley,  Elder  V.  D.  (1809-1866),  of 
Georgia,  was  the  son  of  Robert  What- 
ley, a  native  Georgian.  He  was  born 
in  Green  County,  and  fourteen  years 
thereafter  the  family  moved  to  Monroe 
County,  Ga.,  but  in  common  with  many 
children  of  that  day,  had  no  opportun- 
ities of  school  education,  except  two 
or  three  months.  Being,  however,  a 
youth  of  promise,  and  a  brilliant  intel- 
lect, good  morals  and  untiring  energy 
and  industry,  he  utilized  his  limited 
opportunities  so  well  that  in  after 
years  his  education,  information  and 
general,  knowledge  of  men  and  things 
was  far  above  an  average  of  many  of 
his  young  associates;  and  when  at  the 
age  of  eighteen  or  twenty,  he  became 
deeply  concerned  about  his  soul's  sal- 
vation, and  carefully  read  the  Bible, 
he  greatly  and  rapidly  improved  in 
reading,  and  to  the  end  of  his  mortal 
pilgrimage  on  earth,  tne  Bible  was  the 
book  of  books  with  him.  His  convic- 
tions for  sin  were  deep  and  pungent, 
but  after  many  days  and  nights  of 
mourning,  supplications  and  prayers, 
he  obtained  mercy  at  about  the  age  of 
twenty-one,  and  in  1831,  he  was  re- 
ceived into  the  fellowship  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church  at  County  Line,  Pike 
County,  Ga.,  He  had  become  convers- 
ant with  the  scriptures  and  learned 
discipline  and  gospel  order  so  that  his 
views  and  advice  were  often  valuable 
to  his  brethren  in  all  cases  of  church 
troubles,  even  before  he  had  com- 
menced preaching.  His  general  Chris- 
tian character,  his  deep  concern  for 
the  church  of  God,  and  the  fruitfulness 
of  his  mind  in  spiritual  things  had 
long  impressed  the  minds  of  his 
brethren  that  God  had  called  him 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  In 
a  few  years,  his  gift  was  appar- 
ent to  the  church,  and  after  preach- 


ing for  a  time  to  the  satisfaction  and 
comfort  of  Christians,  his  ordination 
was  called  for,  and  July  9,  1852,  a  pres- 
bytery consisting  of  Elders  Josephus 
Barrow,  Emanuel  Brittain,  Moses 
Gunn  and  James  Mayfield,  convened 
with  the  church  at  Beulah,  Troup 
County,  Ga.,  of  which  Brother  Whatly 
was  then  a  member  and  after  careful 
examination  in  the  usual  manner,  sol- 
emnly set  him  to  go  forth  and  preach 
the  gospel  and  officiate  in  all  the  func- 
tions of  the  gospel  ministry  "wherever 
God  in  Providence  should  cast  his  lot." 
He  faithfully  served  many  churches 
during  his  ministry  and  for  some  years 
before  his  death  by  unanimous  choice 
of  the  Beulah  Association,  he  served 
that  body  as  Moderator.  In  the  "Trib- 
ute of  Respect,"  written  by  his  friend 
and  neighbor,  Dr.  John  B.  Goss,  a 
Missionary  Baptist,  I  find  the  follow- 
ing: "When  his  brethren  and  friends 
visited  him  during  his  sickness  he 
seemed  revived,  and  to  the  utmost  of 
his  strength  would  pour  forth  his  soul 
in  thanksgiving  to  his  heavenly  Father 
for  the  grace  that  had  been  given  him." 
*  *  "He  seemed  to  be  satisfied  that 
he  had  discharged  his  duty  as  a  min- 
ister to  the  best  of  his  ability,  and 
felt  that  "he  had  declared  the  whole 
counsel  of  God,  with  one  exception, 
and  that  was  the  duty  of  churches  to 
their  minister.  He  regretted  that  he 
had  neglected  even  that,  for  he  ex- 
pressed himself  fully  convinced  that  it 
wps  as  much  the  duty  of  the  minister 
to  instruct  the  church  in  that  obliga- 
tion as  in  any  other  cardinal  point  of 
the  gospel."  Elder  Whatley  was  truly 
a  great  and  good  man,  an  able,  faithful 
and  useful  minister  of  the  gospel.  And 
though  he  did  not  have  as  great  a  var- 
iety in  his  preaching  as  some  are  fav- 
ored with,  he  always  had  the  respect- 
ful attention  of  his  congregations, 
even  where  he  preached  for  many 
years.  In  preaching  his  whole  soul 
seemed  to  become  fired  with  earnest 
zeal.  He  was  meek  and  humble  man- 
ly, grave  and  dignified  in  his  address, 
never  condescending  to  indulge  in  low 
slang  or  to  tell  carnal  anecdotes, 
whether  in  the  pulpit  or  out  of  it.  It 
was  often  said  of  him  that  he  was 
"always  preaching,"  by  his  good  Chris- 
tian and  ministerial  deportment  at 
home  and  abroad,  in  the  pulpit  or  out 
of  it.  And  his  very  appearance  was 
calculated  to  strike  one  with  reverence 
for  him  as  a  man  of  God. 

A.    B.    WHATLEY. 

Whatley,  Elder  A.  B.,  of  Greenville, 
Ga.  This  able  and  zealous  brother  was 
born  September  24,  1847,  in  Talapoosa 


290 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


County,  Ala.  The  following  fall  his 
father  moved  with  his  family  and  set- 
tled in  Troup  County,  Ga.,  where  he 
was  reared  to  manhood.  His  father — 
Vachel  D.  Whatley — was  a  devout 
Christian,  a  strict  member  of  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  and  an  able 
minister  of  the  gospel.  None  in  his 
day  stood  higher  in  the  love  and  fel- 
lowship of  the  dear  old  Baptists  than 
he  did,  and  his  son  has  followed  in 
the  footsteps  of  his  honored  father. 
His  mother — Mrs. Mary  B.Phillip — was 
a  great  and  good  woman  serving  the 
Lord  and  dying  in  His  love.  In  July, 
1867,  if  not  deceived,  Elder  Whatley 
obtained      a    precious      hope      in    God 


A.   B.   WHATLEY 

through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The 
following  September  he  was  received 
and  baptized  into  the  fellowship  cf 
Beulah  Church,  Troup  County,  Ga.  In 
the  year  18GS  he  was  ordained  to  the 
office  of  deacon.  During  the  year  1869 
he  commenced  preaching  and  was  or- 
dained to  all  the  functions  of  the 
gospel  ministry  November  18,  1870. 
Since  his  ordination  he  has  served 
four  churches  each  year  with  the  ex- 
ception of  two  or  three  years;  has 
baptized  a  great  many,  aided  in  the 
ordination  cf  a  number  of  elders  and 
deacons  and  helped  to  constitute  two 
churches.  He  is  now  in  his  sixty-sec- 
ond year  of  age  as  a  man,  forty-sec- 
ond as  a  believer  in  Christ,  and 
thirty-ninth  as  an  ordained  minister, 
and  feels  his  race  is  nearly  run,  but 
desires  to  be  found  laboring  in  the 
Master's  vineyard  and  to  prove  his 
faith  by  his  works  that  he  might  end 
his  course  with  joy. 


WM.    J.    WHEELER. 

Wheeler,  Elder  Wm.  J.,  of  Salem, 
111.,  was  born  February  21,  1835,  in 
Princeton,  Gibson  County,  Ind.  He  re- 
mained there  until  he  was  twelve 
years  old,  when  he  moved  with  his 
father  (Dr.  John  Wheeler)  to  Wayne 
County,  111.,  where  he  remained  until 
he  was  seventeen  years  old,  when  he 
moved  to  Sangamon  County,  111.  In 
1856  he  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet 
Sanders,  and  to  them  were  born 
eleven  children.  Elder  Wheeler  joined 
the  church  of  Christ  called  Horse 
Creek,  in  July,  1855,  was  ordained  to 
the  full  work  of  the  gospel  ministry 
June  20,  1874,  and  was  truly  a  good 
man  and  an  able  minister.  He  was  a 
gifted  singer,  and  altogether  one 
of  the  most  useful  preachers  in  Illi- 
nois. Many  of  the  true  saints  will  long 
remember  his  sweet  scngs  of  Zion, 
and  his  clear,  soft  voice  as  he  preach- 
ed Christ  Jesus  the  only  way  of  life 
eternal.  But  that  voice  is  now  still  in 
death,  nevermore  to  sound  a  warning 
note  of  the  enemy,  nor  encourage  the 
saints  here  on  earth,  but  awaits  the 
second  coming  of  our  blessed  Redeem- 
er, when  he  with  all  the  blood-bought 
millions  will  awake  to  sing  the  song 
of  Moses  and  the  Lamb  with  immortal 
tongues   forever   and   ever. 


JAMES  W.  WHEELER. 

Wheeler,  Elder  James  W.,  of  Caney, 
Ky.,,  has  the  care  of  churches  within 
the  bounds  of  the  Burning  Spring  As- 
sociation of  Regular  Old  School  Bap- 
tists and  is  the  beloved  moderator 
of  his  body.  Farther  information 
could  not  be  obtained. 


J.   S.   WHITE. 

White,  Elder  J.  S.  (1813-1884),  cf 
Texas,  was  born  in  the  state  of  S.  C-, 
Union  district,  moved  to  Georgia  and 
in  his  twenty-ninth  year,  united  with 
the  church  in  Dade  County,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Samuel  McBee.  He 
was  ordained  to  the  ministry  about 
two  years  later  and  earnestly  con- 
tended for  the  faith  throughout  his 
ministerial  life  of  about  forty  years. 
Elder  White  moved  to  the  state  of 
Texas,  in  the  year  1859,  where  he  was 
exposed  to  the  savages,  and  many 
hardships,  but  he  was  always  found 
discharging  his  duty  to  God,  and  will 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


291 


long  be  remembered  fcr  his  earnest 
defense  of  the  truth,  his  orderly  walk 
and  godly  conversation,  and  for  his 
brotherly   kindness   and   charity. 


ELIJAH    VIERS    WHITE. 

White,  Elder  Elijah  Viers,  of  Lees- 
burg,  Va.  This  eminent  minister  and 
gallant  leader  was  born  in  Montgom- 
ery Ccunty,  Md.,  near  Poolesville,  on 
August  29,  1832.  His  education  was 
obtained  at  Lima  Seminary,  Livings- 
ton County,  N.  Y.,  and  at  Granville 
College,  O.  During  the  Kansas  trou- 
bles, in  1855,  he  went  to  that  territory 
and  joining  a  company  from  Missouri 
tcok  an  active  part  in  the  campaign. 
He  afterward  returned  to  Maryland 
and  in  1857  moved  to  Loudon  Coun- 
ty, Va.  He  was  baptized  April  15, 
186G,  by  Elder  Joseph  Furr,  ordained 
the  third  Sunday  in  August,  1877,  and 
at  the  death  of  Elder  Furr  was  made 
pastor  of  New  Valley,  Mill  Creek  and 
Frying  Pan,  (Va.)  churches,  and  served 
these  churches  faithfully  through  heat 
and  cold,  sunshine  and  rain  until  his 
death.  As  a  soldier  Col.  White  served 
with  conspicuous  gallantry  through- 
out the  Civil  war.  Starting  as  a  cor- 
poral, he  rose  by  his  daring  and  abil- 
ity to  commander  cf  a  battalion  of 
the  Thirty-fifth  Virginia  Cavalry.  At 
the  battle  of  Balls  Bluff  near  Less- 
burg,  October,  1861,  he  rendered  great 
service  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  major  to  raise  a  battalion  kncwn  in 
history  as  White's  Battalion,  subject 
to  the  orders  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 
After  the  formation  of  his  command 
and  until  the  end  of  the  war  he  acted 
independently  with  General  Ewell, 
General  Stewart  and  General  Lee,  and 
on  several  battlefields  was  seriously 
wounded.  After  the  war  Colonel 
White  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness, and  for  many  years  was  treas- 
urer and  sheriff  of  Loudon  County. 
He  was  twice  married.  In  1902  he  was 
elected  president  of  the  People's  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Leesburg,  a  position 
which  he  held  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  As  a  minister  he  was  faithful 
toi  his  churches,  uncompromising  with 
error  and  an  able  defender  of  salva- 
tion by  grace.  He  loved  to  talk  of 
Jesus,  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  and  his 
labor  was  a  labor  of  love,  and  espec- 
ially was  he  gifted  to  speak  words  of 
comfort  and  cheer  to  poor,  bereaved 
ones.  He  had  a  large  circle  of  friends 
which  was  attested  by  the  large  con- 
course of  sorrowing  relatives,  neigh- 
bors and  comrades  in  arms — estimat- 


ed at  a  thousand  or  twelve  hundred — 
that  attended  the  funeral  service.  He 
died  as  he  had  lived,  an  upright,  sin- 
cere and  honorable  man,  and  in  the 
sweet  hcpe  of  victory  through  Jesus. 


JOHN    WHITE. 

White,  Elder  John,  of  Walker,  Mo. 
The  editor  failing  to  secure  data  from 
which  to  prepare  a  more  detailed 
sketch  cf  this  worthy  minister,  gives 
the  following  information  from  Elder 
Cash's  Book  of  Portraits  published 
189G:  "Elder  John  White  was  born  in 
Kentucky,  December  9,  1835,  and 
united  with  Eagle  Creek  Church, 
Bcone  County,  Ind.,  in  18G0,  where  he 
commenced  preaching  and  was  or- 
dained in  1897.  He  now  has  the  pas- 
toral care  of  Bethel  Church,  Bates 
County,  Mo.,  and  is  moderator  of  Pan- 
ther  Creek  Association." 


HEDLEY    WHITE. 

White,  Elder  Hedley,  of  Texas,  who 
departed  this  life  February  2G,  1909, 
was  born  in  East  Tennessee  January 
5,  1833,  moved  with  his  parents  to  Ar- 
kansas in  his  eighteenth  year  of  age, 
and  about  one  year  later  moved  to 
Leon  County..  Texas,  where,  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  years  he  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  life.  In  early  man- 
hood Elder  White  received  a  hope  in 
Jesus  and  united  with  the  new  school 
or  Missionary  Baptists  and  lived  with 


292 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


them  for  about  fourteen  years,  but 
becoming  dissatisfied  with  their  doc- 
trine and  practice,  and  bemg  convinc- 
ed that  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
■was  the  true,  apostolic  church  in  doc- 
trine and  practice  he  united  with 
them  in  the  year  of  1880,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Joe  Taylor,  and  re- 
mained an  honored  member  of  that 
church  until  death.  He  began  preach- 
ing in  1880,  and  until  his  death 
preached  Jesus  as  a  sufficient  Saviour 
for  sinners,  and  has  been  a  great 
blessing  to  the  Baptists  of  his 
section.  He  was  plain  and  unas- 
suming in  all  of  his  dealings;  went 
through  cold  and  heat  to  serve  his 
brethren  without  money  and  price 
strained  only  by  the  love  of  God 
shed  abroad  in  his  heart  for  his  breth- 
ren and  fellow  travelers.  His  home 
has  been  indeed  a  home  for  his  breth 
ten.     "He  is  dead,  but  still  speaketb." 


KING    M.    WHITE. 

White.  Elder  King  M.  of  North  Car- 
olina, the  son  of  Calvin  and  Mary 
White— was  born  in  Martin  County. 
August  28.  1861,  and  died  August  21, 
1904.  In  lSsij  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Lindy  Taylor.  To  this  union  were 
bcrn  nine  children.  After  being  deep- 
ly convicted  of  sin  and  given  a  hope 
in  Jesus  he  united  with  the  church  at 
Hamilton.  N.  C.  in  1891,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  M.  T.  Lawrence.  Soon 
afterward  the  church  discovered  his 
gift  and  be  was  licensed  to  preach 
and  in  1900  he  was  ordained  to  tbe 
ministerial  work  by  Elders  M.  T.  Law- 
rence. G.  D.  Rcbinson  and  Samuel 
Moore.  Ever  afterwards  he  proved 
"diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit, 
serving  the  Lord."  and  was  an  up- 
right, sincere,  humble,  godly  and  use- 
ful man.  He  grew  more  and  more  ac- 
ceptable in  his  brief  but  earnest  min- 
istry, and  it  was  sad  to  his  brethren 
and  loved  ones  to  give  him  up  almcst 
in  the  prime  of  life.  But  God  does  all 
things  well. — He  is  too  wise  to  err. 
too  good  to  be  unkind. 


JOHN    A.    WHITELEY. 

Wh.teley.  Elder  John  A.,  of  Avilla. 
Mo.,  was  born  in  Pulaski  County.  Ky.. 
April  4,  1818.  and  was  the  twelfth  of 
fifteen  children  born  to  Thos.  and 
Winifred  Whiteley,  both  of  whom 
were  honored  members  of  the  Old 
School  Baptist  Church,  and  his  father 


a  faitniul  minister.  While  witnessing 
the  baptism  of  twelve  candidates  by 
his  father  he  was,  in  his  fifteenth 
year,  convicted  of  sin.  For  many  years 
he  was  under  deep  conviction  and 
sought  the  Lord  in  tears  and  sorrow, 
was  given  a  sweet  bope  in  the  Sa- 
viour, and  united  with  the  Primitive 
Baptists  at  Little  Flock  Churcn,  in 
Fulton  County.  111.,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  Thos.  H.  Owens,  and  when 
he  came  from  the  water  it  was  with 
difficulty  he  kept  from  preaching,  and 
trom  that  time  on.  for  ten  years,  he 
fcught  against  the  impression  made 
on  his  mind  at  his  baptism.  But  in 
1858  he  was  ordained  by  Hopewell 
Church.  Wayne  County,  Iowa,  by  Eld- 
ers Isaiah  Guyman.  John  Martin  and 
Samuel  Wilkes,  and  was  soon  called 
to  the  care  of  four  churches.  During 
his  long  term  of  faithful  service  in  the 
Master"s  vineyard  he  has  had  the  care 
of  seveial  churches  and  has  served  as 
moderator  of  Silvain  and  Western 
associations  in  Iowa,  and  Center 
Creek  Association  in  Missouri. 


EBENEZER  WICKES. 

Wickes,  Elder  Ebenezer  (1772-1837) 
of  New  Baltimore,  N.  Y.,  was  for 
more  than  thirty  years  a  faithful  and 
zealous  minister  of  tbe  Old  School 
order  and  in  the  division  of  1832 
could  not  be  led  off  by  the  New  School 
party.  Upon  his  death  bed  he  express- 
ed a  full,  clear  and  triumphant  hope 
in  Jesus,  and  exhorted  his  brethren 
to  stand  fast  in  the  faith  of  the  gos- 
pel and  practice  of  the  apostles. 


WILLIAM    R.  WIGGINTON. 

Wigginton,  Elder  William  R.  (1819- 
1908),  of  Missouri,  was  perhaps  at  his 
death  the  oldest  Primitive  Baptist  in 
Missouri.  He  was,  at  the  time  of  his 
death  a  member  of  Liberty  Church 
situated  in  Linn  County,  Mb.;  was  or- 
dained by  the  authority  of  Mt.  Tabor 
Church,  Boone  County.  Mo ,  May, 
1848,  by  Elders  Thos.  P.  Stephens, 
Peter  Kempar.  Franklin  Jenkins  and 
Benj.  Wren.  He  was  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  at  Mexico,  Mo., 
and  for  several  years  preached  at 
many  churches  in  Monroe.  Boone, 
Adrian.  Callaway  and  Montgomery 
counties.  Mo.,  and  during  his  minis- 
try baptized  several  hundred  persons 
and  officiated  at  nearly  cne  thousand 
marriages.  He  preached  the  first  ser- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


293 


mon  ever  heard  in  Centralia,  speaking 
from  the  old  North  Missouri  railway 
platform  shortly  after  the  railroad 
was  built  into  the  town. 


JOHN    WILLEFORD. 

Willeford,  Eider  John,  of  Greenville, 
111.,  was  born  in  Bond  County,  111., 
March  3,  185G,  and  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  called  Mt. 
Nebo,  in  June,  1876,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  A.  J.  Willeford.  Since  served 
this  and  other  churches.  He  was 
licensed  to  preach  in  April,  1892,  and 
ordained  to  the  full  work  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry  December,  1903,  by  Eld- 
ers J.  A.  Conlee,  D.  M.  Masters,  win. 
E.  Wright  and  Samuel  H.  Wright.  He 
was  chosen  pastor  of  his  (Mt.  Nebo) 
church  the  third  of  January,  1904, 
and  is  still  serving  his  church  in  that 
capacity.  Elder  Willeford  is  a  faith- 
ful and  useful  servant  and  is  much 
loved  by  his  people. 


M.    B.    WILLEFORD. 

Willeford,  Elder  M.  B.,  of  Rocky 
Mount,  N.  C,  was  born  in  Nash  Coun- 
ty, N.  C,  October  20,  1844.  He  was  re- 
garded as  a  good  boy  in  his  youth  and 
has  sustained  this  opinion  through 
manhood's  years.  Before  grown  he  en- 
tered the  Southern  army,  served  more 
than  two  years  and  was  with  Lee  at 
Appomattox  at  the  surrender.  In  1866 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Jurutha  A. 
Whitley  and  though  she  had  the  mis- 
fortune of  losing  one  arm  in  a  fire 
caused  by  igniting  and  explosion  of 
kerosene    oil     soon    after     thev   were 


married,  yet  by  a  strong  will  and 
willing  mind,  she  has  been  indeed  a 
helpmate  to  her  husband.  To  them 
have  been  born  eleven  children,  six  of 
whom  are  now  living,  have  families, 
and  are  a  source  of  honor  and  pleas- 
ure to  their  aged  parents.  Brother 
Williford  united  with  the  Falls 
Church  in  1875,  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  P.  D.  Gold.  He  was  soon  chosen 
clerk,  and  in  1880  was  ordained  dea- 
con. A  little  later  was  licensed  to 
preach  and  in  1896  was  ordained  to 
the   ministerial  work.   He  was  in  the 


M.    B.    WILLEFORD 

constitution  of  the  church  at  Nash- 
ville and  has  since  served  this  church 
as  pastor.  Has  also  served  Peach 
Tree,  Castalia,  Sappony  and  other 
churches  much  to  the  satisfaction  of 
his  charges.  Though  Elder  Williford 
has  been  a  great  sufferer  from  bodily 
disease  he  has  manifested  much  love 
and  zeal  in  the  cause  of  God  and  has 
often  been  heard  to  say  that  he  had 
rather  die  than  not  be  able  to  preach 
Jesus.  During  a  recent  illness  when 
his  life  was  thought  to  be  nearing  its 
close  he  said,  ''If  I  live  it  will  be  en- 
couraging; if  I  die  it  will  be  more  so." 
Thus  in  faith  does  he  continue  to  run, 
with  patience,  the  race  of  life. 


P.  W.  WILLIARD. 

irilliard,  Elder  P.  W.,  of  High  Point, 
N.  C.  is  an  humble,  faithful  and 
worthy  minister.  He  was  born  in 
North  Carolina  in  1S4S.  professed  a 
hope  in  Jesus  in  1871  in  his  twenty- 
third  year,  but  did  not  unite  with  the 
church  until  about  sixteen  years  later. 
During   this    time   he   passed   through 


294 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


much  sorrow,  trials  and  conflicts  of 
mind,  but  his  best  excuse  for  living 
out  of  the  church  was  his  feeling  of  un- 
fitness and  unworthiness  for  member- 
ship. But  God  enabled  him  to  apply, 
by  faith,  the  fitness  and  worthiness  of 
Christ,  and  he  went  before  the  church 
at  Abbott's  Creek  in  1887,  was  re- 
ceived and  baptized  by  Elder  L.  I. 
Bodenheimer.  On  the  following  day 
he  was  impressed  with  the  words  in 
bis  soul,  "Go  preach  my  gospel,"  which 


P.   W.   WILLIARD 

followed  him  until  he  obeyed  the  heav- 
enly call.  This  was  a  great  trial  to 
him.  He  felt  so  unqualified,  having 
but  little  education  and  of  a  timid  dis- 
position, but  he  was  made  to  feel  "woe 
is  me,  if  I  preach  not  the  gospel,"  was 
ordained  to  the  gospel  work  and  for 
twenty  years  has  had  the  care  of 
churches.  He  is  satisfied  with  the 
goodness  of  God's  house  and  wants  no 
new  thing  in  the  church  and  is  much 
loved  for  his  faithfulness,  meekness 
and  kind  disposition. 


J.    R.    WILLIS. 

Willis,  Elder  J.  R.,  of  Center,  Miss., 
is  a  faithful  pastor  of  churches  with- 
in the  bounds  of  the  Bethany  Associa- 
tion of  Primitive  Baptists.  He  is  also 
moderate  r  of  this  association  and  is 
highly  esteemed  among  the  churches, 


E.  K.  WILLIAMS. 

Williams,  Elder  E.  K.,  of  Belva,  N. 
C.  This  aged  minister  who  has  for 
thirty-five  years  been  preaching 
Jesus  the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life, 


was  convicted  of  sin  in  early  life  and 
united  with  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church  in  Kentucky,  and  when  it  be- 
came known  that  he  had  impressions 
to  preach,  they  wanted  to  send  him 
to  college  fcur  years  to  prepare  him 
for  the  service,  and  he  agreed  to  go, 
but  on  his  way  back  to  his  old  home 
in  North  Carolina,  in  order  to  make 
all  necessary  arrangements  for  enter- 
ing college  he  became  convinced  that 
the  Lord,  and  not  theological  institu- 
tions, qualified  men  for  this  sacred 
work.  So  he  did  not  return  to  Ken- 
tucky to  take  his  degree  in  theology, 
but  was  taught  a  more  Gcd  honoring 
one  in  the  school  of  Christian  expe- 
rience, found  the  true  church,  united 
with  it  and  became  a  preacher  of  the 
Primitive  or  Old  School  order.  He  de- 
sires to  be  found  contending  alone  for 
salvation  by  grace,  and  is  satisfied 
with  the  order  of  God's  house. 


STEPHEN    R.   WILLIAMS. 

Williams,  Elder  Stephen  R.,  of  Hor- 
ton  Station,  III.,  "was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, in  the  year  1820.  He  received  a 
hope  in  1841  and  joined  Mount  Pleas- 
ant Church,  White  County,  111.,  and 
was  ordained  in  Pike  County,  same 
state,  in  1857.  He  has  had  continuous 
pastoral  care  of  two  churches  since 
his  ordination,  and  of  others  for 
shcrter  periods.  He  stands  very  high, 
indeed,  in  tbe  affections  of  the  Lord's 
people."  From  Elder  Cash's  book  1896. 
Efforts  to  secure  further  information 
proved  fruitless. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


295 


G.  B.  WILLIAMS. 

Williams,  Elder  G.  B.,  of  Texas,  was 
born  in  Middle  Tennessee  February 
27,  1849,  and  died  November  28,  1902. 
His  parents  moved  while  he  was  an 
infant  to  the  state  of  Arkansas,  and 
there  it  was  that  he  grew  to  manhood. 
He  remained  in  Arkansas  till  the  Fall 
of  1884,  when  he  moved  with  his  fam- 
ily to  Hill  County,  Texas,  in  which 
state  he  remained  until  his  death.  In 
the  spring  of  1886  he  united  with  the 
Old  chool  or  Primitive  Baptist  Church 
called  Pleasant  Valley,  in  Limestone 
County,  Tex.,  being  baptized  by  Elder 
M.  M.  Gibson.  The  church  liberated 
him  to  exercise  his  gift  when  and 
where  God  in  His  providence  might 
cast  his  lot,  and  so  favorable  was  the 
impression  he  made  with  the  brethren 
that  in  December,  1890,  he  was  ordain- 
ed to  the  full  functions  of  the  gospel 
ministry.  At  the  same  meeting  the 
Pleasant  Valley  Church  called  him  to 
the  care  of  the  church,  and  he  served 
them  to  their  comfort  and  satisfaction 
until  he  became  so  weak  from  dis- 
ease he  could  not  serve  longer.  He 
was  a  loving  husband,  a  kind  and  in- 
dulgent father  and  highly  esteemed 
as  a  citizen. 


Mt.  Hope  Church,  and  was  in  1879 
liberated  by  that  body  to  preach,  and 
was  ordained  in  1881.  He  served  faith- 
fully as  pastor  of  Mt.  Hope  and  Salem 
churches  until  the  time  of  his  death. 


BENJ.    F.   WILLIAMS. 

Williams,  Elder  Benjamin  F.  (1831- 
188G),  of  Indiana,  was  a  man  of  rare 
qualities  for  gentleness,  sobriety  and 
meek  Christian  devotion.  To  know 
him  was  to  love  him;  and  he  was 
most  beloved  by  those  that  knew  him 
best.  His  honesty  was  a  remarkable 
trait  belonging  to  him,  and  was  never 
called  in  question.  His  evenness  ef 
temper,  quiet  disposition  and  smooth 
gentle  deportment,  were  indeed  an  ex- 
ample to  all  men.  And  his  family, 
brethren  and  friends  may  well,  and 
will  often  look  back  upon  his  life  with 
pleasure  and  comfort  as  being  a  les- 
son and  lamp  to  their  feet;  and  be 
made  happier  and  better  by  trying  to 
imitate  the  good  example  he  set  be- 
fore them.  We  do  not  forget  that 
Jesus  alone  is  the  only  perfect  exam- 
ple in  the  world;  yet  some  bear  about 
this  body  mere  of  his  express  image 
and  person  than  others.  And  so  it 
seemed  to  be  with  Elder  Williams. 
Much  of  this  spirit  seemed  to  be  al- 
lotted to  him.  Brother  Williams  joined 
the  church  at  Salem  in  January  about 
1871,  was  baptized  by  Elder  Bartley, 
was  prominent  in  the  constituting  cf 


J.    ELLIS    WILLIAMS. 

Williams,    Elder  J.   Ellis,  of  Bloom- 

ington,  N.  C.  This  humble  and  faith- 
ful brother  was  born  in  Union  Coun- 
ty, N.  C,  April  24,  1858.  In  his  four- 
teenth year  he  was  convicted  of  sin 
and  was  in  distress  until  May,  1882, 
when  he  was  given  a  hope  of  eterna1 
life  in  Christ  and  two  years  later 
jioned  the  church  at  Crooked  Creek. 
He  began  to  exercise  his  ministerial 
gift  publicly  in  1891  and  was  ordained 
to  full  work  of  the  ministry  in  April, 
1894.  Has  preached  at  all  the  nineteen 
churches  in  Bear  Creek  Association, 
and  has  had  the  care  most  of  his  min- 
istry of  all  the  churches  he  could 
serve  Saturday  and  Sunday  and  then 
some  that  he  visited  on  week  days. 
He  is  a  man  of  deep  sympathy,  a 
warm  and  feeling  speaker,  an  humble 
servant,  and  manifested  his  willing- 
ness to  be  used  at  all  times  for  the 
good  of  the  cause  of  truth.  The 
churches  of  his  care  being  mostly  in 
Stanley  County  he  moved  among 
them,  and  his  services  seem  to  be  ap- 
preciated. Though  poor,  he  is  a  man 
of  strict  integrity,  is  energetic  and  la- 
bors with  his  own  hands  on  the  farm 
during  a  portion  of  his  time. 


SAMUEL  WILLIAMS. 

Williams,  Elder  Samuel  (1868-1808) 
late  of  Urbana,  O.,  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  Penn.;   was  mar- 


296 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


ried  in  Green  County,  O.,  to  Miss 
Mary  Rogers,  April  29,  1828,  realized 
a  hope  in  Christ,  September,  1833, 
united  with  the  Beaver  Creek  Church, 
September,  1833,  baptized  by  Elder 
Thomas  Price,  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  Beaver  Creek  Church  in  1834,  and 
removed  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Nettle 
Creek  Church,  Champaign  County,  O., 
of  which  church  he  became  a  member 
and  in  which  he  was  ordained  by  Eld- 
er Joseph  Morris,  which  church  he 
also  served  as  pastor  for  thirty-four 
years.  He  also,  during  his  ministry, 
pastor  of  the  following 
Middle  Run,  Sugar  Creek, 
West  Lebanon,  Bethel, 
Clear  Creek,  Mt.  Pleasant  and  Rey- 
noldsburg  churches.  He  baptized  in 
all,  491  persons,  married  221  couples, 
and  preached  6,4GS  sermons.  He  had 
a  number  of  public  debates,  in  which 
he  was  usually  victorious.  Elder  Wil- 
liams was  a  minister  of  brilliant  tal- 
ents. He  was  blessed  with  an  unusual 
memory,  a  clear  and  harmonious 
voice,  untiring  energy,  and  was  a  bold 
defender  of  truth.  His  theme  was 
Christ  crucified,  as  the  only  hope  for 
perishing  sinners. 


served  as 
churches: 
Tapscott, 


THOS.    C.    WILLIAMS. 

Williams,  Elder  Thos.  C,  son  of 
Samuel  and  Mary  Williams,  was  born 
in  Lebanon,  O.,  May  10,  1848,  and 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  in  April,  1871.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Laura  Liddil,  October  20, 
18G9.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Nettle 
Creek  Church  (of  which  he  is  still  a 
member)  April  17,  188G,  and  has  been 
constantly  in  the  ministry  since. 
He  is  the  pastor  of  four  churches,  all 


of  which  are  in  peace  and  contending 
earnestly  for  the  primitive  faith,  Eld- 
er Williams  is  an  able,  conservative 
and  highly  esteemed  minister  of  Jesus 
who  is  satisfied  with  the  doctrine  ci 
grace  and  the  simple  service  of  the 
apostolic  church. 


W.  B.  WILLIAMS. 

Williams,  Elder  W.  B.  of  Elm  City, 
N.  O,  has  been  preaching  nearly  fifty 
years.  His  membership  is  at  Upper 
Town  Creek  Church.  His  character  is 
bright  and  excellent,  his  gift  much 
admired.  He  has  been  active  and  use- 
ful as  a  gospel  minister,  and  though 
crippled  in  body  and  old  in  years,  he 
is  still  preaching  Jesus  the  way,  the 
truth  and  the  life,  desiring  to  die  at 
his  post  and  finish  his  course  with 
joy.  ■ 

H.    M.    WILLIAMS. 

Williams,  Elder  H.  M.,  of  Charlotte, 
N.  C,  was  born  in  Union  County,  N. 
C,  June  7,  1854,  and  became  deeply 
convicted  of  sin  in  1879,  and  remained 
under  the  cloud  of  condemnation  until 
March,  1881,  when  he  felt  that  Christ 
spoke  peace  to  his  troubled  soul.  He 
united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church  at  Crooked  Creek,  in  1882,  be- 
gan preaching  in  October,  1899,  and 
was  ordained  in  August,  1903.  He  is  a 
kind,  humble  and  industrious  man, 
and  loves  the  cause  of  God  and  truth. 


J.   O.   WILSON. 

Wilson,  Elder  J,  O.  (1840-1S71),  of 
Maryland.  This  able  gift  to  the  church 
was  in  early  life  convicted  of  sin, 
given   a  sweet  hope   in   Jesus,   united 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


297 


with  the  Old  School  Baptists  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Plummer  Waters. 
He  was  soon  after  ordained  to  the 
ministerial  work  and  for  about  ten 
years  faithfully  served  several 
churches  in  Maryland.  Elder  Wilson 
was  greatly  beloved  and  his  death  so 
early  in  life  was  a  great  loss  and  sad 
bereavement  to  his  family,  friends 
and   churches. 


WILLIAM    WILSON. 

Wilson,  Elder  William,  of  Maryland, 
was  an  uncle  of  Elder  J.  O.  Wilson 
and  lived  in  Hartford  County,  Md., 
and  served  churches  there  prior  to 
1865.  He  was  baptized  by  Elder  Jchn 
Welsh,  soon  after  ordained  and  was 
regarded  as  a  faithful  minister,  sound 
in  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  the 
apostolic  church;  and  it  is  with  regret 
that  data  for  a  more  extended  sketch 
could  not  be  obtained. 


JOSEPH    WILSON. 

Wilson,  Elder  James,  of  North  Car- 
died  June  5,  189G.  He  was  born  Octo- 
ber 3,  1819;  married  to  Mary  Lee  De- 
cember 1,  1843.  Unto  them  were  born 
seven  children.  He  joined  the  church 
first  Saturday  in  1847,  at  old  Lower 
Mill  Creek  Church,  Bulloch  County, 
Ga.„  that  was  constituted  in  1826. 
He  was  ordained  the  first  Sunday 
in  August,  1863,  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  Elders  Andrew  Kickliter 
and  John  G.  Williams  being  the 
presbytery.  Elder  Wihon  was  a 
faithful  minister  and  practical  worker 
in  the  cause  of  Christ.  Notwith- 
standing the  troubles  that  existed 
among  the  several  churches,  he  stood 
firm  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  His  last 
sermon  was  delivered  at  his  church 
six  days  before  he  died.  He  was 
faithful  unto  death  and  died  in  the 
full  triumphs  of  faith. 


JAMES  WILSON. 

Wilson,  Elder  James,  of  North  Car- 
olina, died  at  his  home  on  the  evening 
of  February  21,  1895,  in  his  eighty- 
ninth  year  of  age.  He  was  born  Sep- 
tember 8,  1807,  convicted  of  sin  early 
in  life  and  after  much  sorrow  of  mind 
on  account  cf  his  conviction  for  sin, 
was  given  a  sweet  hope  in  the  Saviour 
a,nd  united  with  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church.  Soon  his  gift  was  made  mani- 
fest to  the  church  of  his  membership, 


viz:  Mill  Creek,  in  Sampson  County, 
N.  C. — and  he  was,  in  1829,  ordained 
to  the  ministerial  work  by  Elders 
John  Crumpler  and  George  Brcwn. 
For  sixty-six  years  he  was  a  faithful 
watchman  upon  the  walls  of  Zion.  His 
service  extended  to  many  churches 
and  his  labors  in  the  Master's  vine- 
yard were  earnest,  sincere  and  from 
pure  love  for  the  cause  of  God  and 
truth.  Sound  in  the  faith,  practical  in 
preaching, — setting  an  example  of  a 
godly  walk  and  conversation,  his  in- 
fluence for  good  was  extensive.  After 
a  very  long  life  of  usefulness  he  died 
in  the  full  triumphs  of  faith  in  Jesus. 


L.   M.   WIMBERLY. 

Wimberly,  Elder  L.  M.,  of  Georgia. 
Information  from  which  to  edit  a  de- 
tailed sketch  of  Elder  Wimberly's  life 
and  labors  could  net  be  obtained,  but 
from  resolutions  adopted  by  Emmaus 
Church  January,  1902,  it  is  learned 
that  he  died  about  this  date  The  res- 
olution further  recites  "That  in  the 
death  of  our  beloved  pastor,  we  feel 
that  our  loss  is  well  nigh  irrepara- 
ble; that  Elder  Wimberly  has  been 
cur  faithful  pastor  the  past  twenty- 
two  years,  and  we  feel  and  believe 
that  he  has  ably  led  and  fed  the  flock 
of  God,  which  He  purchased  with  His 
own  blood,  ever  ready  and  willing  to 
earnestly  contend  for  the  faith  once 
delivered  to  the  saints,  never  compro- 
mising Avith  error,  but  defending  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  meek- 
ness and  firmness,  with  godly  rever- 
ence and  fear.  Let  us  follow  the  ex- 
ample of  our  beloved  pastor.  When 
storms  of  persecution  arose,  he  stood 
far  above  the  raging  waves,  and  ceas- 
ed not  to  declare  all  the  counsel  of 
God  in  meekness,  love  and  brotherly 
kindness,  which  is  so  characteristic 
of  the  humble  under-shepherd  of  the 
Z:on  of  our  God.  Truly,  we  believe 
that  a  great  man  in  Israel  has  fallen. 
Then,  dear  brethren,  let  us  emulate 
the  example  left  us  by  our  worthy 
departed  brother  in  his  love,  patience, 
humility,  and  Christian  forbearance, 
and  godly  reverence;  also,  his  strict 
honesty  and  uprightness,  both  in  pub- 
lic and  private  matters,  whether  as 
neighbor,  friend  or  citizen,  thereby 
setting  aside  the  reproach  of  this  vain 
and  gainsaying  world." 


W.  C.  WISDOM. 

Wisdom,  Elder  W.  C.  (1825-1901), 
of  Missouri.  This  eminent  minister 
was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Tenn., 


298 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


and  with  his  parents  moved  tc  Mis- 
souri and  settled  in  Dallas  County,  near 
Louisburg,  in  1836,  Where  he  resided 
until  death  with  the  exception  of 
three  years,  when  he  resided  in  Buf- 
falo, the  county  seat  of  Dallas  Coun- 
ty. He  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Conn, 
December  12,  1850,  with  whom  he 
lived  a  happy  married  life  for  over 
fifty  years.  He  professed  a  hope 
in  Christ  in  18G8,  and  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in 
1S70,  was  licensed  tc  preach  in  1873 
and  was  ordained  in  1874,  and  shortly 
after  was  chosen  pastor  of  Round 
Prairie  Church  which  he  served  as  a 
true  and  faithful  servant  until  death. 
He  was  also  moderator  of  Ozark  As- 
sociation for  twenty-one  years,  which 
he  served  to  the  entire  satisfacticn  of 
all  the  churches.  He  was  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him, 
and  in  his  younger  days  was  solicited 
by  his  many  friends  to  make  the  race 
for  representative  of  Dallas  County 
to  the  General  Assembly,  but  refused 
saying  that  he  had  a  higher  calling 
than  that  of  a  legislator.  He  was  a 
noble,  pleasant  man,  always  having  a 
cheering  word  for  the  sorrowing  soul, 
and  in  his  death  Dallas  County 
lost  one  of  her  best  citizens,  the  com- 
munity a  good  neighbor,  his  wife  a 
loyal  husband,  his  children  an  indulg- 
ent father  and  the  church  a  loving 
and  faithful  pastor. 


THOS.   WOLVERTON. 

Wciverton,  Elder  Thos.  This  emi- 
nent servant  of  Jesus  was  born  in 
Patrick  County,  Va.,  January  6,  1785, 
convicted  of  sin  early  in  life  and  in  his 
sixteenth  year  united  with  the  Bap- 
tists and  was  baptized  into  their  fel- 
lowship. The  church  soon  discovered 
his  gift  and  he  was  ordained  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in.  1810,  and  for 
about  a  half  of  a  century  he  was  a 
faithful  servant  of  Jesus.  During  his 
ministry  there  were  many  disturb- 
ances in  the  church  but  throughout 
them  all  he  continued  steadfast  in  the 
ancient  faith  and  ranked  among  its 
ablest  defenders. 


AARON  WOOD. 

Wood,  Elder  Aaron  (1823-1895),  of 
Iowa,  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Ind.,  was  three  times  married,  united 
with  the  Primitive  Baptists  in  1842, 
and  in  after  years  manifesting  a  gift 
of  the  Spirit,  was  ordained  to  the  full 
functions  of  the  gospel  ministry  in 
1865,      and    for      about      thirty    years 


was  one  of  the  Lord's  faithful  watch- 
men on  the  walls  of  Zion,  proclaiming 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  the  gospel 
of  the  Lord  Jesus,  with  such  ability 
and  understanding  as  pleased  our  God 
to  give  him,  and  although  he  was  a 
man  of  much  meekness  and  humility, 
and  often  keenly  felt  his  weakness 
and  imperfections,  yet  he  did  not  shun 
his  duty  in  declaring  the  word  of 
truth  and  of  being  a  faithful  guardian 
C'f  the  flock  "over  which  the  Holy 
Ghost  had  made  him  overseer,"  great- 
ly to  the  comfort  and  edification  of 
the  dear  children  of  God.  He  was  a 
beloved  member  of  Ebenezer  Church, 
Mahaska  County,  Iowa,  and  had  been 
for  many  years  prior  to  his  death.  He 
had  been  afflicted  for  one  or  two  of 
the  last  years,,  his  eyesight  being 
nearly  gone,  yet  he  bore  it  all  with 
patience,  often  speaking  of  the  time 
of  his  departure  being  near,  and  that 
he  felt  as  though  all  would  be  well. 
And  so  it  proved  at  the  close  of  his 
eventful  voyage  on  life's  tempestuous 
sea — his  life  going  sweetly  and  peace- 
fully out,  in  full  triumph  of  redeem- 
ing grace.  — 

JOHN  WOOD. 

Wood,  Elder  John,  of  Illinois,  who 
died  at  his  home  in  Montgomery 
County,  March  6,  1883,  was  a  faithful 
and  beloved  minister  of  the  Kaskaskia 
Association.  He  was  for  many  years 
pastor  of  Little  Flock  and  other 
churches  of  this  assocition  and  was  an 
able  defender  of  the  doctrine  and  prac- 
tice of  the  Apostolic  church  as  main- 
tained by  the  Old  School  or  Primitive 
Baptist. — 


WILLIAM  WOODARD. 

Woodard,  Elder  William,  of  Wilson, 
N.    C,    the    third    chiM    of   Win,    and 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


299 


Elizabeth  Woodard,  was  born  in  Wil- 
son County,  N.  O,  November  6,  1830; 
raised  on  the  farm  where  he  was 
taught  to  labor  with  his  own  hands; 
was  married  to  Miss  Martha  Round- 
tree  at  the  age  of  twenty  with  whom 
he  lived  very  happily  for  many  years. 
This  union  was  blessed  with  several 
children  that  have  grown  to  maturity 
and  become  prominent  in  county  and 
state;  ex-Governor  Aycock  married 
twice  into  this  family.  Some  years  af- 
ter Elder  Woodard's  wife's  death  he 
was  married  the  second  time  to 
Mrs.  Elinor  (Woodal)  Lassiter  and 
feels  the  Lord  has  blessed  him 
with  two  faithful  and  loving  com- 
panions. Elder  Woodard's  true  Chris- 
tian experience  began  when  about 
forty  years  of  age.  Of  this  he 
writes:  "The  commandment  came, 
sin  revived,  and  I  died;  and  I  can  truly 
say  it  was  a  hard  death,  for  I  had 
loved  the  world  and  the  things  in  it. 
I  saw  plainly  that  I  was  justly  con- 
demned before  my  God  and  realizing 
this  my  knees  bowed,  and  with  my 
mouth  confession  was  made  to  God.  I 
was  thus  kept  under  the  law  shut  up 
unto  the  faith,  which  was  afterwards 
revealed.  It  came  to  me  in  this  way: 
After  giving  up  all  hope  that  the  Lord 
could  be  just  and  save  such  a  sinner  as 
I  was.  I  retired  one  night  in  May,  1870 
feeling  that  I  was  without  God  and 
without  hope  in  the  world.  I  awoke 
next  morning  in  a  new  world  with 
this  blessed  scripture  in  my  mind; 
'Wherefore,  seeing  we  also  are  com- 
passed about  with  so  great  a  cloud  of 
witnesses  let  us  lay  aside  every 
weight,  and  the  sin  which  doth  so 
easily  beset  us,  and  let  us  run  with  pa- 
tience the  race  that  is  set  before  us 
looking  unto  Jesus,'  the  author  and 
finisher  of  our  faith.  I  then  had  joy 
inexpressible  and  full  of  glory.  The 
same  morning  as  I  went  to  wash  my 
face  these  words  came  into  my  mind, 
with  such  power  that  my  tongue  gave 
utterance  to  them;  'Why  tarriest  thou? 
Arise  and  be  baptized  and  wash  away 
thy  sins,  calling  on  the  name  of  the 
Lord.'  Immediately  after  breakfast  I 
opened  mv  Bible  and  began  reading 
the  33rd  chapter  of  Ezekiel.  When  I 
read  the  seventh  verse,  which  reads 
as  follows:  'So  thou,  O  son  of  man,  I 
have  set  thee  a  watchman  unto  the 
house  of  Israel,  therefore  thou  shalt 
hear  the  word  at  my  mouth  and  warn 
them  from  me.'  I  felt  the  'anguage  was 
for  me.  I  closed  the  book  and  wept 
aloud.  There  was  preaching  the  same 
day  at  Wilson.  I  went  to  the  meeting, 
heard  the  preaching  and  felt  that  I 
understood  as  I  never  had  before,  and 
with  the  scripture,  'Why  tarriest  thou, 


arise  and  be  baptized,  etc'  so  forcibly 
in  my  mind  that  I  dared  not  leave  the 
house  until  I  had  talked  to  the  church." 
This  he  did,  was  received,  baptized 
and,  soon  ordained  as  deacon.  But  the 
Lord  had  called  him  to  other  wok.  He 
felt  it  before  uniting  with  the  church, 
though  he  did  not  relate  this  part  of 
his  experience  to  her  and  was  made 
to  feel  that,  Ananias  and  Sapphira- 
like,  he  had  kept  back  a  part  of  the 
price,  and  so  great  became  his  trouble 
about  preaching  Jesus  that  he  lost  all 
pleasure  in  his  farm  and  his  home,  and 
could  get  very  little  comfort  even  from 
the  preaching  of  others.  In  this  con- 
nection he  writes:  "With  these 
thoughts  in  my  mind,  and  with  the 
godly  admonitions  from  my  dear  wife, 
who  followed  me  to  the  door  one  day 
as  I  left  for  preaching  with  these  sol- 
emn words,  'For  the  Lord's  sake  and 
for  my  sake,  the  sake  of  your  children, 
and  for  your  own  sake,  go  to  the  church 
and  tell  them  you  have  got  to  preach, 
the  Lord  has  shown  me  that  he  has 
called  you  and  you  will  be  no  comfort 
to  me  or  anyone  else  until  you  comply 
with  this  duty.'  When  conference  was 
opened  one  person  came  forward  and 
while  telling  her  experience  the 
thought  was  revolving  in  my  mind 
constantly  'Will  you  tell  yours,  also?' 
and  I  asked  the  question  in  my  mind, 
'What  shall  I  tell?'  The  answer  came, 
'Read  the  33rd  chapter  of  Ezk.'  I 
asked  permission  to  read,  which  was 
granted.  When  I  was  done  reading,  I 
told  the  brethren  of  some  of  the  great 
trials  and  conflicts  through  whichl  had 
passed  and  they  gave  me  permission 
to  exercise  my  gift  without  any  limit." 
A  few  months  after  this  he  was  ordain- 
ed by  Elders  B.  T.  Pitt  and  P.  D.  Gold, 
was  immediately  called  to  the  care 
of  Aycocks  and  Healthy  Plain 
Churches,  and  later  to  the  care  of  oth- 
ers, some  of  which  he  has  served  for 
more  than  twenty  years.  Elder  Wood- 
ard is  a  spiritually  minded  man,  a 
noted  "fire-side  preacher,"  an  able  gift 
to  the  church,  kind,  hospitable  and  en- 
tertaining and  his  labors  have  been 
greatly  blessed  to  the  edification  com- 
fort and  instruction  of  many  of  God's 
children. 


JAMES   S.   WOODARD. 

Woodard,  Elder  James,  S.,  of  Wil- 
son, was  born  February  22,  1833,  in 
Edgecombe  (now  Wilson)  County,  N. 
C.  His  parents  were  William  and 
Elizabeth  Woodard.  In  August,  1870, 
he  was  arrested  by  the  Spirit  of  God 
and  made  to  realize  himself  a  sinner. 
About     December,     1870,   all  his  sins 


300 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


were  arrayed  against  him  and  it  was 
the  most  horrible  spectacle  he  ever 
beheld.  About  ten  days  afterwards  all 
his  sins  seemed  to  be  one  great  sin. 
He  had  not  before  believed  in  a  hell, 
but  now  he  knew  that  there  was  not 
only  a  hell,  but  a  hell  for  him,  and  he 
could  see  no  way  of  escape.  In  this 
condition  he  lost  everything  and 
stretched  himself  out  on  his  bed  to 
die,  when  so  terrible  did  his  condi- 
tion become  that  he  lost  all  bis  phys- 
ical strength,  and  his  sufferings  were 
so  great  that  he  became  unconscious 
for  a  short  time  and  unable  to  life  his 
hand,  or  turn  over  in  bed.  He  was 
aroused  from  this  stupor  by  the  fol- 
lowing language:  "If  I  had  not  gone 
away,  the  Comforter  had  not  come." 
Then  came  with  great  power  and  au- 
thority the  following  words:  "My 
sheep  hear  my  voice,  I  know  them, 
they  follow  me  and  I  give  unto  them 
eternal  life,  and  they  shall  never  per- 
ish." While  he  blessed,  thanked  and 
praised  God  for  his  great  deliverance, 
so  completely  exhausted  was  he  from 
this  experience,  that  he  soon  fell 
asleep  anout  2  o  clock  a.  m.  He  awoke 
eariy  in  the  morning  feeling  that  "Old 
things  were  passed  away,  and  all 
things  were  new,  and  all  things  are  of 
God."  From  this  time  he  began  to 
speak,  privately,  of  the  glories  01 
God's  Kingdom,  and  talk  of  His  pow- 
er. He  soon  became  impressed  with 
baptism.  Wherever  he  went,  and 
whatever  he  did,  awake  or  asleep, 
baptism,  was  always  before  him,  Be- 
ing made  willing  in  the  day  of  God's 
power  he  was  baptized  March  14, 
1871,  in  which  ordinance  he  received 
the  answer  of  a  good  conscience  to- 
wards God,,  and  went  on  i±±6  way  re- 
joicing for  several  months,  when  he 
was  strongly  impressed  with  the  great 
sacredness  of  the  pulpit  and  solemni- 
ty of  preaching.  He  saw  that  he  must 
try  to  preach  or  die,  yet  felt  that  it 
was  impossible  for  him  to  preach.  Of 
this  he  writes:  "However,  I  blundered 
along  in  a  very  incoherent  way  tor 
some  months  feeling  that  all  my  ef- 
forts were  only  miserable  failures, 
and  that  if  the  brethren  saw  it  as  I 
did  they  would  stop  me  from  preach- 
ing. In  six  or  eight  months  the  church 
proposed  to  ordain  me,  but  I  objected 
and  continued  to  object  to  ordination 
when  proposed  by  them  until  they 
told  me  that  further  objection  would 
be  an  act  of  rebellion,  whereupon  I 
submitted,  with  great  reluctance.  I 
still  think  the  church  made  a  mistake 
in  this  matter.  I  cannct  too  strongly 
urge   upon   the   brethren     everywhere 


the  importance  of  ordaining  men  to 
the  ministry,  and  it  should  never  be 
done  until  after  they  have  sufficiently 
proven  themselves  worthy,  which  in 
my  opinion  would  take  eight  or  ten 
years."  Elder  Woodard  is  now  in  the 
seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age,  strong 
in  the  faith  and  unmoved  from  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  and  the 
practice  of  the  Apostolic  Church.  He 
has  always  undervalued  his  preach- 
ing, for  he  is  one  of  our  ablest  preach- 
ers, especially  in  the  doctrine — the 
strong  meat  of  the  gospel.  He  has  al- 
ways lived  in  Wilson  County,  where 
he  enjoys  the  esteem  and  respect  of 
his  brethren.  His  labors  have  been 
mostly  confined  to  churcnes  of  Wilson 
and  adjoining  counties. 


JAMES  G.  WOODFIN. 

Woodfin,  Elder  James  G.,  of  Tennes- 
see was  born  at  Boiivar,  Hardeman 
County,  Tenn.,  November  20,  1847.  He 
is  a  son  of  Cicero  and  Mary  Crawford 
Woodfin,  both  of  whom  died  leaving 
him  an  orphan  when  he  was  very  small. 
He  was  married  in  1866  to  Miss  Mary 
Clark.  About  the  same  year  he  ob- 
tained a  hope  and  united  with  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
After  living  with  them  twelve  years  he 
joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in 
1878,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  J.  E. 
Frost.  He  was  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  in  June,  1885.  Not  a 
great  while  afterwards  Elder  Woodfin 
moved  to  South  Pittsburg,  Tenn., 
where  he  has  since  resided.  His  wife 
died  in  February,  1904,  leaving  her 
husband,  and  six  children,  all  of  whom 
are  grown.  Elder  Woodfin  is  an  able 
and  zealous  defender  of  the  doctrine 
of  the  Bible. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


301 


DAVIS   S.  WOODY. 

Woody,  Elder  Davis  S.,  of  Osage 
County,  Mo.,  was  born  in  Franklin 
County,  Va.,  July  10,  1S12,  and  mov- 
ing to  Missouri,  united  with  Little 
Hope  Church  in  May,  184G.  He  was 
in  the  constitution  of  Little  Maries 
Church  and  was  there  licensed  to 
preach  February  11,  1865,  and  October 
24,  1868,  was  ordained.  He  was  a 
sound  Baptist  and  faithful  to  his 
charge.  He  died  September  21,  1878. 


BERRYMAN    WREN. 

Wren,  Elder  Berryman,  of  Missouri, 
was  born  in  1796,  in  Rutherford  Coun- 
ty, N.  C;  emigrated  to  Warren  Coun- 
ty, Ky.,  in  1812;  was  baptized  by  Eld- 
er Zechariah  Morris  in  1816;  removed 
to  Boone  County,  Mo.,  in  1819;  was 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  in  1812, 
and  in  1823  was  oidained  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  by  Elders  David  Doyle 
and  John  Greenalgh.  Compared  with 
many  others,  he  was  inferior  to  them 
in  intellectual  power,  but  far  surpass- 
ed them  as  a  faithful  and  successful 
pastor.  What  he  lacked  of  the  natural 
was  more  than  afforded  in  the  spirit- 
ual. Deeply  imbued  with  the  love  of 
'God,  the  spiritual  interests  of  the 
church  were  firmly  imbedded  in  his 
affections;  and  to  serve  them,  ht 
made  every  sacrifice  which  a  devoted 
spirit  and  the  circumstances  of  his 
life  would  permit. 


HARVEY    WRIGHT. 

Wright,  Elder  Harvey  (1820-1906) 
was  born  in  Centerville,  Montgomery 
County,  Ohio,  and  died  at  his  home  in 
Rush  County,  Indiana.  With  very  lim- 
ited opportunity  for  schools,  he  ac- 
quired a  fair  education.  By  his  par- 
ents he  was  trained  to  industry,  virtue 
and  truth,  and  thereby  escaped  the 
vices  and  immoralities  so  prevalent 
among  young  men.  From  the  time  he 
was  thirteen  years  of  age,  intoxicating 
drinks  were  banished  from  his  father's 
house,  and  the  influence  of  himself  and 
his  elder  brother  did  much  to  induce 
other  young  men  to  like  abstinence. 
In  the  parental  home,  he  was  always 
patient,  forbearing  and  considerate  to- 
ward his  younger  brothers  and  his  sis- 
ter. He  was  never  given  to  a  violent 
temper.  He  was  careful  to  abstain 
from  temptation  or  any  appearance  of 
evil.  Throughout  life,  none  could 
doubt  his  sincerity  and  his  uprightness 


of  purpose  and  of  life.  His  early  asso- 
ciations were  with  the  Methodists,  the 
Disciples  and  the  Baptists,  and  with 
the  last  named  (the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists) his  lot  was  cast.  He  joined  Fay- 
ette Church  at  Xulltown,  on  the  west 
branch  of  Whitewater  river,  in  1850. 
Soon  after  he  joined  the  church  he 
was  pressed  by  the  call  of  God  and  the 
urgency  of  his  brethren  into  the  minis- 
try, and  June  3,  1854,  he  was  solemnly 
ordained  as  an  elder  in  the  church  of 
God,  by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of 
the  Presbytery,  of  which  Elder  Wilson 
Thompson  was  one.  His  ministry, 
counting  from  his  first  public  efforts, 
embraced  a  period  of  fifty-six  years,  of 
which  time,  he  was  a  regular  ordained 
minister  for  full  fifty-two  years.  In 
this  time  he  was  (mostly  for  long 
terms)  pastor  of  Fairfield,  Pleasant 
Run,  East  Fork  of  Flat  Rock,  Little 
Salt  Creek,  Shiloh,  Blue  River,  Lick 
Creek,  and  perhaps  other  churches. 
He  also  at  times  visited  churches  and 
associations  in  other  parts  of  Indiana, 
Illinois,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Maryland 
Delaware,  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Georgia  and  Alabama.  His  wonder- 
ful memory  o  f  the  words  of  Holy 
Writ,  his  ready  command  of  good 
and  accurate  language,  his  earnestness 
and  solemnity  his  sonorous  voice,  and 
his  personal  magnetism  combined  with 
his  fine  intellect  made  him  an  impres- 
sive and  powerful  preacher.  Those  of 
other  denominations  of  Christians, 
differing  from  some  of  his  doctrine, 
were  unanimous  in  their  admiration  of 
him  as  a  preacher.  Though  Elder 
Wright,  was  ever  a  successful  finan- 
cier, yet  it  was  by  the  hardest  labor 
and  closest  economy  that  he  arose  to 
a  comfortable  competence.  It  was  in 
no  sense  by  sharp  trad-e  or  speculation 
that  his  fine  farm  and  comfortable 
means  came  into  his  possession.  To 
him  and  to  his  wife  these  came  by 
labor  and  good  management.  His 
three  brothers  were  all  preachers, 
though  the  oldest  died  in  his  twenty- 
fourth  year,  before  he  had  entered, 
according  to  his  convictions,  the  pub- 
lic ministry.  Among  his  ancestors 
were  some  of  the  distinguished  preach- 
ers of  New  England,  of  whom  may  be 
named,  Joshua  Moody  of  Boston,  Lau- 
rel Williams  of  Massachusetts,  and 
John  Russell  of  Hadley.  His  father 
Dan  Wright,  was  a  native  of  Vermont, 
and  was  descended  wholly  from  old 
New  England  families  of  the  Puritans. 
The  Wrights  were  from  Kelvedon,  in 
Essex  County,  in  England,  and  are 
traced  back  in  regular  line  to  the  year 
1500.  Deacon  Samuel  Wright  was  ft 
Springfield,  Mass.,  as  early  as  1637. 
Elder  Wright's  mother  was  of  English 


302 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


and  Holland-Dutch  descent,  among  the 
earliest  settlers  in  Newton  and  other 
portions  of  Long  Island,  and  New 
York.  They  were  of  the  Presbyterian 
and  Dutch  Reformed  church.  But  Eld- 
er Wright  seemed  to  care  but  little  for 
the  history  of  his  ancestors,  which  he 
barely  if  ever,  mentioned.  He  gloried 
only  in  his  acceptance  with  the  Lord. 
He  lived  for  Christ  and  his  church. 
He  patiently  endured  till  life's  painful 
close.     He  sleeps  in  Jesus. 


THOS.    J.    WRIGHT. 

Wright,  Elder  Thos.  J.  (1803-1867), 
of  Troy,  Mo.,  was  born  in  Clark  Coun- 
ty, Ky.,  moved  to  Missouri  in  1820 
and  settled  in  Lincoln  County.  For  a 
quarter  of  a  century  he  served  the 
churches  faithfully  and  was  highly  es- 
teemed, and  it  is  with  regret  that  in- 
formation regarding  his  life  and 
labors  from  which  to  prepare  a  suita- 
ble sketch  could  not  be  obtained. 


GEORGE    WRIGHT    (M.    D.). 

Wright,  Elder  George,  of  Indiana, 
son  of  Elder  Harvey  and  Delilah 
Wright,  was  born  April  28,  1S50,  and 
died  September  9,  1903.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Margaret  McBride,  October 
16,  1870.  He  was  a  worthy  and  es- 
teemed member  and  Elder  in  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church.  As  a  minis- 
ter of  the  gcspel  of  Christ,  he  was 
firm  and  true,  devoted  and  earnest, 
but  gentle  and  kind  to  all,  which  great- 
ly endeared  him  to  his  brethren  and 


many  warm  friends.  For  the  last  few 
years  he  devoted  himself  almost  en- 
tirely to  his  ministerial  duties  and 
calling,  forsaking  a  good  profession  to 
do  so,  as  he  had  for  many  years  de- 
voted his  time  and  energies  to  the- 
honorable  medical  profession.  The 
news  of  his  death  was  a  shock  to 
many.  Only  about  two  weeks  before 
he  attended  the  Cons  Creek  Associa- 
tion, Johnson  County,,  Indiana,  and 
preached  much  to  the  comfort  and 
satisfaction  of  his  brethren  and  sis- 
ters in  Christ. 


LUCIEN     B.    WRIGHT. 

Wright,  Elder  Lucien  B.  (1834-1883) 
of  Mississippi,  was  born  in  Owen 
County,  Ky.,  united  with  the  Primi- 
tive Baptists  in  his  seventeenth  year 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  J.  M.  Theo- 
bald. He  was  a  useful  and  able  min- 
ister and  was  endowed  by  nature  with 
a  clear  and  vigorous  intellect,  warm 
heart  and  diligent  spirit.  As  a  citizen 
he  was  popular  and  held  in  high  es- 
teem; in  the  pulpit  he  was  an  able 
and  tender-hearted  preacher;  in  the 
home  circle,  he  was  a  devoted  hus- 
band and  father. 


P.  M.  WRIGHT. 

Wright,  Elder  P.  M.  (1830-1888),  of 
Virginia,  was  a  resident  of  Bedford 
County,  the  latter  part  of  his  life.  In 
early  manhood  he  was  convicted  of 
sin  and  felt  the  killing  sentence  of 
the  law.  But  by  faith  Jesus  was  re- 
vealed to  him  as  his  sin-bearer  and 
perfect  law-keeper.  He  united  with 
Lynnville  Church  in  1857,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Bachary  Angel.  In 
1877  he  was  seriously  exercised  in 
mind  on  the  subject  of  preaching 
Jesus  to  others  and  the  following 
year  was  ordained  to  the  ministerial 
work.  Though  crippled  by  rheumatism 
and  leaning  upon  his  cane  he  went 
forth  far  and  near  in  service  to  the 
churches.  He  suffered  much  physical 
pain  but  was  willing  in  tr.e  day  of 
God's  power  to  labor,  to  cry  aloud  and 
spare  not,  every  feeling  that  the  gos- 
pel dispensation  was  laid  upon  him 
and  that  woe  was  he  if  he  preached 
not  the  gospel.  In  April,  1887,  he 
preached  his  last  sermon  after  which 
he  was  not  able  to  leave  his  home. 
He  bore  his  sufferings  patiently,  con- 
stantly looking  for  the  summons 
many  weeks  before  it  came.  He  loved 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


303 


to  talk  of  the  goodness  of  God  and 
was  ever  ready  to  give  a  reason  of 
the  hope  that  was  within  him. 


W.  E.  WRIGHT. 

Wright,  Elder  W.  E„  of  Fillmore,  111. 
was  born  in  Bond  County,  August  1, 
1871,  and  raised  by  Missionary  Bap- 
tist parents.  About  the  age  of  twelve 
he  was  convicted  of  sin,  and  though 
trying  to  grow  better  felt  that  he  grew 
worse  until  Jesus  was  revealed  to  him 
as  his  friend.  This  gave  him  much  joy 
and  soon  afterward  he  united  with  the 
Missionary  Baptists  and  lived  with 
them  about  three  years.  When  about 
seventeen  years  old  he  heard  his  first 
Primitive  Baptist  sermon  and  was  so 
comforted  and  edified  that  he  could 
not  rest  contented  in  mind  until  he  of- 
fered to  the  church,  was  received  and 
baptized  into  their  fellowship.  For 
a  while  he  felt  free  from  trouble,  but 
soon  he  was  deeply  impressed  to 
preach  and  after  years  of  resisting 
and  trying  to  run  away  from  duty  he 
was  made  willing,  was  licensed  by 
Mt.  Zion  Church  and  in  1903  was  or- 
dained to  the  gospel  work.  He  has 
since  had  the  care  of  churches,  loves 
the  old  order  of  Baptist  and  believes 
the  doctrine  they  advocate  to  be  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour. 


J.  W.  WYATT. 

Wyatt,  Elder  J.  W.,  of  Grumpier,  N. 
C,  was  born  in  Allegheny  County  N. 
C,  April  17,  1878,  the  eldest  of  nine 
•children.  His  father  was  a  Primitive 
Baptist  but  his  mother  was  a  strict 
Methodist    and    he    was    named    John 


Wesley  in  honor  of  the  founder  of 
Methodism.  Early  in  life,  he  moved 
with  his  parents  to  West  Virginia,  re- 
turned to  North  Carolina  in  1890;  con- 
victed of  sin  in  1892  and  after  much 
sorrow  of  heart  was  given  a  view  of 
Jesus  as  his  righteousness.  Of  this 
period  of  his  life  he  writes:  "I  thought 
I  ought  to  join  the  church,  so  I  came 
in  contact  with  the  Fullerites,  or  Mis- 
sionaries, and  in  the  year  1893,  I  joined 
them,  as  they  were  the  most  popular 
people,  as  I  thought,  in  my  community, 
and  from  their  misrepresentations  I 
soon  became  biased  toward  the  Primi- 
tive Baptists  and  cultivated  all  the  ha- 
tred I  could  against  them.  In  the  fall 
of  1894,  September  17,  I  was  married 
to  Miss  B.  J.  Brown  who  was  a  Primi- 
tive Baptist  in  belief,  but  had  not  yet 
joined  the  church.  In  September,  1895, 
our  first  son  was  born.  As  I  beheld 
my  little  son  I  thought  and  said  many 
times  that  I  would  rather  know  that 
he  would  be  bitten  by  an  adder  and 
die  from  the  bite  and  never  see  man- 
hood than  to  believe  that  old  Augus- 
tine and  Calvanistic  doctrine  of  elec- 
tion and  predestination  advocated  by 
the  Primitive  Baptists.  I  became  in- 
terested in  reading  the  Bible  to  confute 
and  help  extinguish  it  from  the  face 
of  the  earth,  if  I  could.  As  I  read  I 
would  mark  the  scriptures  that  I 
thought  to  be  against  it,  yet  I  knew 
nothing  of  what  I  read.  So  as  I  re-read 
I  found  I  had  marked  the  wrong  verse 
every  time,  and  instead  of  condemning 
the  dear  old  Baptists,  I  and  my  doc- 
trine were  the  fellows  that  were  con- 
demned. Then  I  was  in  trouble  that 
no  tongue  could  express  and  I  said  for 
the  first  time:  'O  Lord,  show  me  the 
right  way.  for  the  foundation  I  am  on 
is  a  sandy  one.'  I  saw  the  mystery  of 
iniquity  unfolding  itself  in  all  that  I 
had  thought  to  be  right,  and  here  for 
the  first  time  I  saw  the  dear  old  church 
in  her  splendor  and  her  glory  all  repre- 
sented in  Christ,  her  great  conquering 
King.  Realizing  my  many  hardsayings 
and  my  unfitness  to  be  identified 
with  them,  filled  me  with  feel- 
ings of  uneasiness  and  a  burning  de- 
sire within  to  offer  myself  to  the  dear 
old  church."  He  was  led  to  the  church, 
Pond  Mountain,  in  the  Senter  Associa- 
tion, where  he  and  wife  united  in  1896 
and  was  baptized  by  Elder  J.  M.  Wyatt. 
During  the  same  year  he  was  liberated 
to  exercise  his  gift  publicly  and  in  1904 
was  ordained  by  Elders  W.  L.  Sim- 
mons, J.  W.  Lilly,  B.  V.  Jessie  and 
Ward  Keeton.  Since  his  ordination  he 
has  had  the  care  of  churches  and  has 
traA^eled  and  preached  extensively 
among  the  Baptists  in  the  United 
States  and  has  been  well  received. 


304 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


L.   B.   WYNNE. 

Wynne,  Elder  L.  B.  (1815-1883),  of 
Washington  City,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky. At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  re- 
moved with  his  father  and  mother  to 
Illinois.  He  resided  for  many  years 
in  and  near  Petersburg^ — then  known 
as  Salem — a  place  which  the  name  cf 
the  late  President  Lincoln  has  ren- 
dered historic.  Mr.  Lincoln,  as  many 
still  living  will  testify,  was  one  of  his 
earliest,  warmest  and  most  intimate 
friends,  notwithstanding  differences 
in  their  political  opinions.  Hon.  Steph- 
en A.  Douglas,  the  famous  statesman 
and  orator,  Hon.  Thos.  L.  Harris, 
member  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives from  Illinois,  and  Hon.  David 
Davis  are  among  the  many  prominent 
men  whose  friendship  and  esteem  he 
enjoyed.  He  resided  in  Illinois  until 
the  autumn  of  1S5G,  when  he  moved 
to  Washington  and  obtained  an  ap- 
pointment in  the  Treasury  Depart- 
partment.  Until  within  a  few  months 


before  his  death  he  held  a  position  in 
this  department.  For  about  twenty 
years  before  his  death  the  subject  of 
religion,  in  which  he  had  always  felt 
a  profound  and  reverent  interest,  be- 
came the  most  absorbing  topic  of  his 
thoughts  and  studies,  and  the  doc- 
trines of  the  gospel  of  Christ  became 
the  guiding  principles  of  his  life.  Both 
his  earlier  and  later  associations  led 
him  to  the  old  Primitive  Baptist 
Church.  In  the  spring  of  1872  he  was 
baptized  by  Elder  P.  W.  Yates,  and 
became  a  member  of  Bethel  Church, 
Fairfax  County,  Va.  It  was  not  long 
before  his  powers  as  a  teacher,  his 
vast  acquisitions  as  a  Biblical  stu- 
dent, and  his  fluent  and  forcible  ex- 
pression were  understood  and  valued, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1873  he  was  or- 
dained an  elder  in  the  church.  From 
this  time  until  the  fall  of  1881  he 
preached  almost  constantly  in  many 
of  the  churches  in  the  counties  ot 
Fairfax,  Loudon,  Fauquier,,  Warren, 
Stafford,  Page  and  Rappahannock  in 
Virginia,  and  in  Montgomery  and  oth- 
er counties  of  Maryland.  His  accurate 
memory,  his  knowledge  of  the  sub- 
jects treated,  his  clear  method,  his 
command  of  language,  and  his  intense 
earnestness  and  fervor  will  be  vividly 
remembered  by  all  who  have  heard 
him.  Elder  Wynne's  career  is  a  type 
of  many,  in  the  struggles  of  a  bright, 
vigorous  and  buoyant  mind,  seeking 
for  knowledge  and  light,  amidst  the 
heart-sickening  difficulties  thrown 
around  him  by  poverty  and  domestic 
afflictions,  in  a  newly  settled  state, 
and  in  a  period  of  our  country's  histo- 
ry when  even  a  meager  education  was 
not  easily  to  be  obtained.  But  no 
trials  ever  weakened  his  hopefulness 
and  perseverance  or  lessened  his  love 
and  justice  towards  his  fellow-man, 
or  undermined  his  faith  in  a  Provi- 
dence which  will  surely  turn  all  that 
seems   evil   into   greater  good. 


Y 


PAUL   W.  YATES. 

Yates,  Elder  Paul  W.,  of  Virginia 
was  born  in  Rappahannock  County 
Va.,  August  G,  1S20,  and  died  at  his 
home  in  Page  County,  January  19, 
1892,  in  his  seventy-first  year  of  age 
He  was  a  son  of  Paul  Yates  who  fcr 
several  years  was  deacon  in  Thorn- 
ton's Gap  Church;  and  a  grandson  of 
Charles  Yates,  a  pioneer  Baptist  min- 


ister in  the  seventeenth  century. 
Early  in  life  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Ann  Apperson.  She  lived  only  six 
years,  leaving  two  daughters.  Some 
years  later  he  was  married  the  second 
time  to  Miss  Lettie  Winn.  To  this 
union  were  born  several  children.  He 
was,  in  the  year  185G,  baptized  by 
Elder  Ambrose  C.  Boston,  and  at  once 
began  telling  the  glad  tidings  of  sal- 
vation by  grace,  and  grace  alone,  for 
no  man  ever  more  earnestly  cntend- 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


30c 


ed  against  all  the  "preconceived  opin- 
ions" of  men,  concerning  an  offered 
salvation,  nor,  more  boldly  declared 
a  secured,  provided  and  certain  salva- 
tion, through  Jesus  Christ,  for  the 
comfort  of  his  "father's  cnildren."  He 
was  ordained  in  1860  by  Elders  A.  C. 
Booton,  W.  C  Lauvck  and  F.  M.  Per- 
ry. He  entered  at  once  into  the  de- 
fense of  truth  against  socalled  "benev- 
olent institutions,"  human  means  in 
regeneration,  then,  being  vigorously 
pushed  by  Arminian  Baptists,  and 
with  more  than  ordinary   pulpit  pow- 


PAUL    W.    YATES 

ers  and  oratory,  contended  for  New 
Testament  practice  as  well  as  doc- 
trine. When  the  "Implantation,  no 
change,  non-resurection  theory  of  re- 
generation," threatened  to  bury  the 
church  in  Virginia,  beneath  the  debris 
of  mystic  materialism,  he  stood  firmly 
declaring  the  regeneration  of  the  soul 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  in  time,  and  the 
resurrection  cf  the  body  at  the  com- 
ing of  the  Lord  by  the  same  spirit. 
Four  years  before  his  death  he  was 
stricken  down  with  disease,  and  for 
months  he  seemed  to  have  lost  all 
physical  energy,  and  to  a  great  extent 
his  mental  powers  sympathized  with 
his  physical,  but  when  a  second  time 
Arminianism  in  the  shape  of  gcspel 
regeneration  insinuated  itself  into  the 
church,  as  by  a  miracle  his  strength 
returned,  and  those  who  received  and 
loved  his  strong  meat,  in  years  past 
were  once  more  fed  in  the  same  mas- 
terly manner  upon  that  food  the  taste 
of  which  Arminians  in  the  church  or 
cut  of  it,  can  not  enjoy.  He  continued 
preaching  with  this  wonderful  power 
up  to  a  few  weeks  before  his  death, 
and  looked  forward  to  the  rest  in  the 


tomb  for  his  suffering  body,  and  to 
the  presence  with  his  Lord  to  be  en- 
joyed by  his  released  spirit,  with  anx- 
ious longing.  He  was  for  a  long  period 
of  time  pastor  of  'Mill  Creek  Church, 
also  served  Hawks  Bill,  Big  Spring, 
Thornton's  Gap,  Naked  Creek  and  oth- 
er churches  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley 
and  churches  in  counties  east  of  the 
Blue  Ridge  mountain,  and  baptized 
hundreds  of  persons  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  church.  He  had  an  unusu- 
ally strong,  mellow  voice  and  could 
be  heard  at  a  great  distance,  was  a 
strong  man  physically  and  mentally 
and  was  prepared  by  the  grace  of  God 
for  a  great  work,  which  he  faithfully 
followed  to  the  close  of  life — travel- 
ing thousands  of  miles  annually,  over 
mountains,  through  heat  and  cold, 
bearing  the  precious  tiding  of  a  fin- 
ished salvation  in  Jesus  for  all  His 
people.  His  name  is  fondly  cherished 
as  his  memory  lives  in  the  hearts  of 
hundreds  yet  living  who  sit  under  the 
proclamation  of  the  gospel  as  ably 
preached  by  him. 


WALTER    YEOMAN. 

Yoeman,  Elder  Walter,  of  Jefferson- 
ville,  0„  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
O.,  January  31,  1838,  and  united  in 
marriage  to  Maria  F.  Lee,  December 
15,  1862.  Elder  Yeoman,  with  his  wife, 
united  with  the  Paint  Creek  Church 
of  Primitive  Baptists  March,  1864,  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  A.  J.  Yeoman. 
He  was  in  1868  licensed  to  preach 
wherever  God  in  His  providence  cast 
his  lot,  and  was  ordained  to  the  full 
work  of  the  ministry  in  December, 
1864,  by  Elders  A.  J.  Yeoman  and  D. 


306 


PRIMITIVE  OR  ODD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


G.  Barker.  He  has  had  the  constant 
care  cf  churches  and  at  the  present 
time  is  pastor  of  three;  has  assisted 
in  the  organization  of  a  church  in  his 
county  and  assisted  largely  in  erect- 
ing the  church  house  on  his  land  in 
18S0,  and  has  since  had  the  care  of 
said  church.  He  also  assisted  in  the 
organization  oi  Mt.  Pleasant  and  Har- 
mony churches,  has  aided  in  the  ordi- 
nation of  seven  ministers  and  has 
baptized  about  one  hundred  and  mar- 
ried two  hundred  couples.  He  has 
served  the  Sciota  Baptist  Association 
as  moderator  for  the   last  two   years 


and    is   held    in   high   esteem   by   his 
brethren. 


JACOB   YOUNG. 

Young,  Elder  Jacob,  of  Georgia,  who 
died  May  26,  1891,  was  a  minister  that 
was  highly  esteemed  and  whose  mem- 
ory lives  in  the  minds  and  hearts  ol 
hundreds  of  his  friends  and  brethren. 
And  it  is  regretted  that  sufficient  in- 
formation could  not  be  gathered  from 
which  tc  prepare  a  detailed  sketch 
of  his  useful  life  and  faithful  labors 
in    tne    Master's    vineyard. 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  MINISTERS 


307 


SUPPLEMENT 


C.  B.  DENNY. 

Denny,  Elder  C.  B.,  of  Pinnacle,  N. 
C.  This  faithful  and  highly  esteemed 
minister  was  born  January  23,  184G, 
convicted  of  sin  early  in  life,  given  a 
hope  in  the  Saviour  of  sinners  in  the 
year  1864,  and  two  years  later  united 
with  the  Pimitive  Baptists;  was  or- 
dained to  the  full  functions  of  the  gos- 
pel ministry  in  1886,  and  has  since  his 
ordination,  had  the  care  of  churches 
within  the  bounds  of  the  Fisher's 
River  Association.  Elder  Denny  has 
not  only  been  faithful  as  a  minister, 
but  has  taken  an  active  interest  in 
the  upbuilding  of  his  county  generally. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  taught 
school,  faithfully  served  in  the  south- 
ern army  through  the  Civil  war,  rep- 
resented his  county  in  the  state  leg- 
islature, and  served  his  people  in  oth- 
er positions  of  trust.  He  was  married 
early  in  life  and  has  a  family  of  nine 
living  children,  all  grown,  and  one  an 
ordained  minister  of  the  church  of  his 
honored  father. 


M.  G.   HARBOUR. 

Harbour,  Elder  M.  G.,  of  Pinnacle, 
N.  C.,  is  the  beloved  moderator  of  the 
Fisher's  River  Association,  having 
served  this  body  as  moderator  for 
twenty  years.  He  was  also  instru- 
mental in,  and  associated  with,  Elders 
J.  A.  Ashbourn,  C.  B.  Denny,  and  oth- 
ers, in  the  publication  of  the  History 
of  Fisher's  River  Association,  and  is 
highly  esteemed  among  his  people. 
Though  old  in  years  his  interest  in  the 
cause  of  truth  is  unabated,  and  the 
editor  regrets  that  data  for  a  suitable 
sketch  of  his  useful  life  and  unselfish 
labors  in  the  Master's  kingdom  could 
not   be    obtained. 


JAMES    H.    LATHAM. 

Latham,  Elder  James  H.,  of  North 
North  Carolina,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  on  January  14,  1855, 
and  died  November  28,  1908.  About 
1880  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  L. 
Respass,  by  which  union  was  born 
unto  him  twelve  children,  four  dead 
and  eight  living.  His  mother  died 
when  he  was  five  weeks  old  and  his 
father  when  he  was  three  years  old. 
At  the  death  of  his  father  his  uncle, 
Henry  Latham,  took  charge  of  and 
raised  him.  Brother  Latham  was  con- 
nected with  one  of  the  best  families 
of  Beaufort  and  Washington  Coun- 
ties, Mr.  Charles  Latham,  the  father 
of  Major  L.  C.  Latham,  the  brilliant 
lawyer  and  congressman,  being  his 
uncle.  Elder  Latham  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  White  Plains 
Church  in  February,  1878,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  N.  H.  Harrison.  Soon 
after  this  he  was  licensed  and  in  Aug- 
ust, 1882,  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry  by  Elders  N.  H.  Harrison  and 
D.  W.  Tapping,  and  was  a  living  epistle 
of  Christ  and  a  bold  defender  of  the 
doctrine  of  electing  grace,  and  would 
not  compromise  that  doctrine  with  the 
best   friend   on   earth. 


308  PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


DEACONS 

WITH  SOME  PERSONAL  MENTION  OF  THESE 
OFFICERS 


The  word  diakonos  or  deacon,  means  attendant,  one  who  waits  upon 
guests  at  a  table,  a  servant.  In  the  militant  church  of  God  upon  earth  we 
have  the  table  of  the  Lord  where  we  meet  and  partake  of  the  emblems  of 
the  broken  body  and  shed  blood  of  our  Saviour.  We  also  have  the  table  of 
the  poor,  for  "the  poor  ye  have  with  you  always,"  and  as  the  great  head  of 
the  church,  while  on  earth  in  human  form,  went  about  doing  good  and  was 
not  forgetful  of  the  poor  and  needy,  so  His  followers  should  do  likewise. 
And  then  there  is  the  table  of  the  pastor.  Not  that  the  pastor  is  to  be  look- 
ed upon  as  an  object  of  charity  and  treated  as  a  pauper,  but  as  a  fellcw- 
laborer  in  the  Kingdom  of  Jesus  he  should  be  treated  as  a  son  and  not 
even  as  a  hired-servant.  "They  which  preach  the  gospel  should  live  of  the 
gospel."  "Thou  shalt  not  muzzle  the  mouth  of  the  ox  that  treadeth  out  the 
corn."  "If  we  have  sown  unto  you  spiritual  things,  is  it  a  great  thing  if  we 
shall  reap  your  carnal  things?"  "Who  goeth  a  warfare  anytime  at  his  own 
charge?  Who  planteth  a  vineyard  and  eateth  not  of  the  fruit  thereof?  Or 
whc  feedeth  a  flock  and  eateth  not  the  milk  of  the  flock?"  The  Word  of 
God  is  very  clear  on  the  duties  of  God's  people.  About  one-fourth,  per- 
haps, tells  how  we  becrme  God's  children,  and  about  three-fourths  tell 
how,  as  God's  children,  we  should  live.  And  we  cannot  serve  God  accepta- 
bly only  as  we  serve  our  fellow-creatures  in  this  world.  The  deaconship 
was  established  for  service.  The  first  deacons  were  elected  at  Jerusalem  by 
the  church  of  that  city,  and  this  was  done  at  the  request  of  the  Apostles. 
Acts  vi:  1-6.  The  "twelve"  were  no  doubt  inspired  in  this  matter,  and 
therefore  in  each  true  church  there  is  a  class  of  men  whose  special  duty  it  is 
to  serve  tables — to  collect  and  administer  the  funds  of  the  church  as  need- 
ed. 

The  qualifications  of  deacons  are  laid  down  in  Acts  vi,  3;  I  Tim.  iii, 
8-13.  Their  duties  are  particularly  suggested  in  Acts,  vi:2;  I  Cor.  x:21; 
ix,  9-14;  Gal.  ii,  10;  I  Cor.  v  7-11;  vi,  1-5;  I  Tim.,  iii: 4-12.  Now,  there  is  a 
necessity  for  deacons  or  they  would  not  have  been  established  in  the 
Apostolic  church.  And  being  established  they  should  be  maintained.  The  dis- 
continuance to  a  great  degree  of  the  office  of  the  deaconship  in  the  churches, 
and  the  little  attention  paid  to  this  matter  by  the  ministry  and  laity  generally 
even  when  the  office  is  maintained,  has  no  doubt  seriously  crippled  the 
work  of  the  ministry  and  counteracted  the  good  influence  of  the  church. 
It  is  the  judgment  of  our  people  generally,  I  believe,  that  our  deacons,  as 
a  rule,  are  only  deacons  in  name.  This  is  not  anymore,  and  perhaps  not  as 
much,  chargeable  to  the  deaccn  as  to  the  pastor  and  the  church.  The  pas- 
tor, no  doubt,  often  refrains  from  preaching  practical  duties  to  his  congre- 
gation for  fear  of  being  charged  with  advocating  Arminianism,  or  preach- 
ing for  money,  while  many  of  our  members  will,  from  a  spirit  of  covetous- 
ness,  argue  against  expenses  and  oppose  asisting  the  poor  and  helping  the 
ministry.  And  thus  between  the  two  the  deacon  will,  unless  possessed  with 
a  good  degree  of  bcldness,  be  too  timid  to  tell  the  brethren  their  duty,  and 
the  church  goes  along  in  an  unequal  burden   bearing   way,   for   under   such 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS  309 

crrcumtances,  the  expenses  of  what  is  done  for  the  poor  or  the  pastor  is 
usually  borne  by  the  deacons  themselves  and  a  few  faithful  members 
The  late  Elder  J.  H.  Purefoy  once  said,  "The  Baptists  are  the  most 
wil'iing  people  in  the  world;  a  few  being  willing  to  do  all  that  is  done  and 
the  others  perfectly  willing  to  let  them  dc  it."  Brethren,  this  is  good  as 
far  as  it  goes,  but  it  does  not  go  far  enough.  "We  should  be  as  one  lovely, 
loyal  family,  the  strong  bearing  the  burdens  of  the  weak  and  the  weak 
casting  in  their  mite,  for  there  is  something  for  all  to  do,  and  all  can  do 
something.  And  as  to  the  matter  of  giving  our  carnal  things  we  are  not 
at  a  loss  to  know  how  much  to  give,  for  we  have  two  rules  laid  down  in  the 
New  Testament  telling  us  hew  much  to  give  even  to  the  fraction  of  a 
cent,  viz:  "Every  man  according  as  he  purposeth  in  his  heart,  so  let  him 
give;  not  grudgingly,  or  of  necessity;  for  God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver."  2 
Cor.,  ix:7;   and  "As  the  Lord  hath   prospered  him."  1  Cor.  xvi:2. 

Then  let  us  be  honest  with  ourselves,  honest  with  the  church  and 
honest  with  our  God,  and  more  faithfully  assist  and  encourage  our  dea- 
cons. They  occupy  a  place  in  the  church  next  to  the  minister  and  should 
be  his  helper  in  looking  after  the  internal  affairs  of  the  church  and  relieve 
him  of  financial  matters  so  that  he  may  do  well  his  pastoral  duties.  In  the 
following  pages  the  editor  gives  brief  sketches  of  the  lives  and  labors  of  a 
few  of  our  worthy  deacons,  thousands,  equally  as  worthy  are  not  mentioned, 
and  no  discourtesy,  to  any,  is  intended.  A  fair  representation  of  our  deacons 
in  a  work  of  this  kind  would  be  almost  impossible  and  would  no  better  serve 
the  purpose  of  the  editor,  name'y,  to  stimulate  more  zeal  in  the  deaconship,  to 
encourage  the  church  to  untie  their  hands,  and  to  give  my  readers  some  var- 
iety of  subject  matter  in  this  publication.  In  this  conection  I  wish  to  say  that 
I  believe  there  is  no  better  book  among  our  people  to  read  in  connection  with 
the  Bible  on  the  subject  of  deaconship  than  "Practical  Suggestions  for  Prim- 
itive Baptists"  by  Elder  Walter  Cash,  and  the  editor  earnestly  recemmends 
the  perusal  of  this  work  by  our  people. 


310 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


M.   D.   and   J.    H.   ALLSBROOK. 


Allsbrook,  N.  D.  and  J.  H.,  of  Scot- 
land Neck,  N.  C.  These  were  brethren 
in  the  flesh  and  in  the  spirit,  and  dea- 
cons of  the  old  Kehukee  Church  in 
North  Carolina — the  mcther  of  the 
Kehukee  Association,  the  oldest  Prim- 
itive Baptist  Association  in  the  world. 
M.  D. 'Allsbrook,  though  aged,  is  still 
active  and  zealous  in  all  duties  of  the 


church, — J.  H.  Allsbrook  died  in  1907. 
Both  were  of  the  highest  moral  charac- 
ter and  most  noble  Christian  virtues 
and  as  deacons  filled  the  office  well, 
purchased  to  themselves  a  good  degree, 
and  great  boldness  in  the  faith  which 
is  in  Christ  Jesus;  were  men  of  good 
judgment  and  gravity,  not  double- 
tongued,  given  to  much  wine  or 
greedy  of  filthy  lucre,  but  given  to 
hospitality,  lovers  of  good  things, 
workers  for  peace  and  holding  the 
mystery  of  faith  in  a  pure  conscience. 


B 


H.  D.   BARNES. 

Barnes,  H.  D.,  of  Wbitakers,  N.  O, 
was  born  in  Wilson  County,  N.  C, 
November  27,  1842,  united  with  the 
Primitive  Baptists  at  Moore's  meeting 
house  in  1S75  and  was  baptized  by 
Elder  A.  J.  Moore,  went  into  the  con- 
stitution of  the  church  at  Toisnot  in 
1S84,  and  was,  in  1891,  ordained  to  the 
office  of  deacon.  It'  can  be  well  said 
of  him  that  he  is  not  double-tongued, 
not  given  to  much  wine,  not  greedy 
of  filthy  lucre,  and  holds  the  mystery 
of  the  faith  in  a  pure  conscience.  He 
is  firmly  established  in  the  doctrine 
of  Gcd's  sovereignty  and  special  prov- 
idence over  his  people,  and  has  often 
been  heard  to  say  that  he  could  not 
die  before  his  time  comes, — that  the 
"Yankees"  tried  their  best  to  kill  him 
and  failed.  He  entered  the  Southern 
army  at  its  beginning  at  the  age  cf 
nineteen  and  proved  a  brave  soldier 
until  its  close.  During  one  day's  fight 
-^May  5,  1862— at  the  battle  of  Wil- 
liamsburg he  was  wounded  four  times. 
Twice  he  was  captured  and  sent  to 
Northern  prisons — remaining  in  one, 
— Point  Lookout,  two  winters  with 
scarcely  enough  food  to  keep  soul  and 
body  together  and  poorly  clad,  yet 
God  brought  him  through  it  all  and, 
by  faith,  has  established  him  in  the 
spiritual  kingdom  of  Jesus  under 
whose  banner  he  desires  to  march 
and  fight  the  fight  of  faith,  until  his 
Master  calls  him  hence.         , 

N.   R.   BENNETT. 

Bennett.  N.  R.,  united  with  Concord 
Church,   Clark     County,     111.,   in  1885, 


and  was  in  1896  ordained  to  the  office 
of  deaccn.  He  has  rarely  missed  a 
meeting  of  his  church  and  is  one  of 
the  most  forward  to  look  after  the  ex- 
penses of  the  church,  the  needs  of  the 
poor  and  welfare  of  his  pastor.  Kind, 
generous  and  open-hearted  he  is  al- 
ways ready  to  help  in  time  of  need. 
When  finding  a  case  where  immedi- 
ate assistance  is  needed  he  does  not 
wait  for  his  church  to  act,  but  does 
so  himself  and  reports  his  labors  to 
the  church.  Thus  it  is  made  more  ap- 
parent that  the  churches  should  keep 
a  fund  in  the  hands  of  the  deacons 
for  emergency  purposes.  Upon  one  oc- 
casion this  worthy  brother  assumed  an 
expense  of  over  one  hundred  dollars 
for  trained  nurse  service  for  a  worthy 
sick  sister.  At  another  time,  when  a 
brother  died  and  left  a  family — a 
worthy  sister  and  four  small  children 
— with  a  mortgage  on  their  little 
farm,  he  was  one  of  the  leaders  and 
largest  contributors  in  paying  off  this 
mortgage  for  this  widow  that  she  and 
her  children  might  have  their  home 
unincumbered.  These  cases  are  but  a 
few  of  the  opportunities  of  a  similar 
nature  that  come  into  the  experience 
of  most  every  deacon  for  doing  good 
to  others,  and  may  our  churches  untie 
the  hands  of  their  deacons  and  en- 
courage them  in  their  labors.  God  will 
abundantly   bless   his   people   in   such 

service.  

THOMAS   BEAVERS. 

Beavers,  Thomas,  who  after  a  life 
of  usefulness  died  many  years  ago  in 
the  triumphs  of  a  living  faith  was  an 
eminent  deacon  of  his  countv  His 
membership  was  at  Lebanon  Church, 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL,    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


311 


Henry  County,  Ind.  He  was  held  in 
high  esteem  by  all  good  citizens  and 
was  loved  much  by  all  Primitive  Bap- 
tists who  knew  him.  He  endeavored 
to  discharge  in  all  faithfulness  the  sa- 
cred trust  his  church  committed  to 
his  hands,  and  informed  himself  con- 
cerning the  requirements  of  God  in 
His  Holy  Word  pertaining  to  the 
duties  of  his  office.  He  found  also  the 
excellent  work  published  -by  Elder 
Walter  Cash  of  St.  Joseph,  Mo., 
"Practical  Suggestions  for  Primitive 
Baptists"  a  valuable  aid. 

Brother  Beavers  Recorded  the 
names  of  all  the  members  of  his 
church  in  a  book,  expressly  for  the 
purpose  of  keeping  a  correct  account 
or  record  of  all  funds  received  and 
from  whom  received,  and  of  all  dis- 
bursements and  to  whom.  At  the  close 
of  each  year  he  read  to  the  church 
the  whole  amount  received,  but  not 
from  whom  he  had  received  it,  and 
the  amount  disbursed  and  to  whcm. 

The  church  heartily  approves  of 
this  Bible  system  and  supplies  the 
deacons  with  funds  so  that  they  are 
ready  for  any  emergency  to  meet  the 
needs  of  poor  members,  to  care  for 
the  pastor,  for  visiting  ministers  and 
to  defray  other  necessary  expenses. 


OSCAR    BEAVERS. 


Beavers,  Oscar.  This  brother  serves 
as  one  of  the  deacons  of  Lebanon 
Church,  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  like 
his  eminent  predecessor — -Thomas 
Beavers — stakes  especial  interest  in 
the  work  which  is  continued  in  the 
safe  scriptural  line.  The  work  has 
been  carried  on  quietly  and  satisfac- 
torily, and  it  is  seldom  that  there  is 
the  mention  of  money  in  the  church 
business.  No  one  is  required  to  give 
only  as  they  want  to  give  and  believe 
the  Lord  requires  of  them  according 
as  He  has  blessed  them.  This  church 
is   cne   of   our   most  faithful   and   en- 


deavors to  follow  the  apostolic  in- 
structions to  "do  all  things  decently 
and  in  order." 


W.   C.    BOWMAN. 

Bowman,  W.  C.  (deceased),  was  a 
worthy  man  and  filled  the  office  of 
deacon  well.  He  was  a  native  of  Hen- 
ry County,  Ind.,  and  was  a  member  of 
Lebanon  Church  and  was  faithful  un- 
til death  and  when  called  hence  could 
well  say,  "I  have  kept  the  faith,"  etc. 


W.  J.  BRAMLETT. 

Bramlett,  W.  J.,  of  Bishopville,  S.  C. 
This  worthy  deacon  was  a  member  of 
the  Methodists  for  about  sixteen  years 
before  uniting  with  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists at  Hopeland  Church,  Whit- 
akers,  N.  C,  in  1893,  where  he 
was  baptized  by  Elder  A.  J.  Moore. 
He  was  the  main  support  in  the  erec- 
tion of  a  church  building  in  his  homb 
town  and  was  ordained  deaccn  in  said 
church  in  1900.  While  with  his  former 
friends — the  Methodists — he  was  an 
active  worker  and  a  steward  in  their 
church  and  since  uniting  with  the 
Baptists  has  been  no  less  active  in 
support  of  the  principles  of  grace.  His 
experience  has  been  deep  and  heart- 
felt, h-'s  change  and  views  on  the  plan 
of  salvation  complete  and  yet  the  dec- 
trine  preached  and  maintained  by  the 
Primitive  Baptists  has  not  led  him 
either  to  inactivity  or  licentiousness — 
(as  is  sometimes  charged  against  the 
doctrine  of  grace),  but  he  seems  to 
take  no  less  interest  in  the  cause  of 
truth;  is  well  established  in  the  dec- 
trine  and  practice  of  the  church,  for- 
ward to  look  after  the  sick  and  the 
needy,  good  to  his  pastor  and  liberal 
with  traveling  ministers.  Diligent  in 
business  and  the  soul  of  honor  he  has 
a  gcod  report  of  them  that  are  with- 
out, and  bolds  the  mystery  of  faith 
in  a  pure  conscience. 


BENJ.   F.  COFFMAN. 

Coffman,  Benj.  F.  Bro.  Coffman  is  a 
native  of  Rockingham  County,  Va.  His 
membership  is  at  Naked  Creek 
Church,  where  also  his  wife,  two  of 
his  sens,  two  daughters,  and  several 
grandchildren  are  members  with  him. 
Firm  in  the  faith,  strong  in  doc- 
trine, practical  in  his  religion,  he  has 


for  many  years  been  a  leader  in  the 
work  of  deacon.  He  has  also  rendered 
valued  service  in  other  positions.  In 
the  division  of  1890  when  the  "means" 
or  "Burnham  Baptists"  were  excluded 
by  the  Ebenezer  Association,  Deacon 
Coffman  served  as  Moderator  of  that 
body.  He  is  noted  fcr  firm,  faithful 
dealing  with  friend  or  foe,  for  his 
cheerful  disposition  and  his  unbound- 


312 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


ed  hospitality.  During  a  recent  session 
of  his  association  he  entertained 
more  than  a  hundred  persons  at  his 
own   home   and    then   seemed   to   feel 


he  was  not  doing  much  for  the  cause       this   course. 


he  so  much  loved.  He  desires  to  see 
each  member  of  his  church  filling 
their  place  and  doing  their  duty  and 
by    word    and    deed    exhorts    them    in 


M.   V.    GANDER. 

Gander,  M.  V.,  whose  residence  Is 
in  Page  County,  Va.,  and  whose  mem- 
bership is  at  Mill  Creek  Church,  near 
Luray,  is  one  of  our  most  active  and 
useful  deacons,  and  a  leader  in  his 
church  in  all  movements  for  the  good 
of  the  cause  dear  to  the  hearts  of 
Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptists.  His 
greatest  pleasure  seems  to  be  in  the 
service  of  the  church  and  in  attend- 
ance upon  her  public  worship;  his 
greatest  consolation  is  in  the  doctrine 
of  grace  and  his  life  is  such  as  adorns 
that  doctrine  with  a  godly  walk  and 
conversation.  He  has  a  "good  report 
of  them  which  are  without,"  is  a 
prominent  citizen,  a  director  of  one  of 
the  National  Banks  of  the  county,  and 
exerts  an  extended  influence  for  good. 
Brother  Gander  desires  to  see  each 
member  of  his  church  living  in  peace 
and  harmony,  obeying  the  laws  of 
their  King,  treating  their  pastor  right 
and  manifesting  their  faith  by  their 
good  works. 


as  a  member  of  the  church  did  well 
his  duty  with  liberality  and  cheerful- 
ness. He  was  born  in  Rush  County, 
Ind.,  November  13,  1838,  and  died  Sep- 
tember 30,  1905. 


D.    H.   GOBLE. 

Goble,  D,  H.,  of  Greenfield,  Ind., 
united  with  Little  Blue  River  Church 
in  early  manhood  but  for  the  last 
twenty-nine  years  of  his  life  he  was 
a  member  of  Shiloh  Church  in  Green- 
field, and  was  the  main  support  in  the 
erection  of  the  present  house  of  wor- 
ship on  East  North  street.  He  was  for 
many  years  deacon  and  was  a  faithful 
man  of  God  and  held  in  high  esteem 
wherever  known.  His  Christian  life 
was  influential  in  impressing  the  sub- 
lime fact,  that  true  religion  is  the 
greatest  good  in  this  life  and  an  un- 
failing support  in  death.  He  was  a 
strong  advocate  of  education  and  on 
moving  to  Greenfield  he  purchased 
the  Home  and  School  Visitor,  a  month- 
ly magazine,  and  later  enlarged  it  and 
placed  it  in  the  public  schools,  where 
it  has  held  a  place  ever  since;  and  in 
1886  he  and  Elder  R.  W.  Thompson 
founded  the  Primitive  Monitor.  In  all 
the  relations  of  life,  Brother  Goble 
was  honest,  faithful   and  upright  and 


JOHN   W.  GROVE. 

Grove,  John  W.,  of  Luray,  Va.  This 
earnest,  liberal  deacon  was  born  De- 
cember 16,  1844,  brought  up  in  the 
mercantile  business  by  his  father  and 
has  since  successfully  followed  this 
profession;  joined  the  Cavalry  (35th 
Battalion)  at  the  age  of  eighteen  and 
until  the  close  of  the  war  followed 
that  dashing  leader — Col.  E.  V.  White, 
and  other  Southern  leaders;  united 
with  Mt.  Carmel  Church  in  1867  and 
was  a  few  years  thereafter  elected 
deacon  which  office  he  has  since  faith- 
fully filled.  Brother  Grove  has  also 
served  his  church  as  clerk  almost  con- 
tinuously since  his  membership  and 
for  many  years  was  clerk  of  the  Ebe- 
nezer  Association.  During  the  period 
about  1887-1890— when  Elder  E.  H. 
Burnham  and  others  were  introducing 
Arminian  doctrine  and  practices  in 
Mt.  Carmel  church  and  finally  suc- 
ceeded in  leading  off  a  portion  of  the 
membership,  he  took  a  firm  stand 
against  these  innovations  from  which 
he  has  never  receded.  He  wields  a 
good  influence  in  church  and  state, 
is  director  of  the  oldest  National  Bank 
in  the  county,  and  is  an  active  busi- 
ness man  generally.  As  a  deacon  he 
is  grave,  not  double-tongued,  not 
greedy  of  filthy  lucre,  looks  after  the 
business  affairs  of  the  church  in  a 
quiet,  orderly  way,  suggests  to  others 
their  duties  and  then  takes  the  lead 
himself  in  personal  sacrifice  for  the 
cause  of  truth.  The  poor  of  the  church 
and  his  pastor's  needs  are,  by  him, 
not  neglected.  Vigilant,  sober  and  giv- 
en to  hospitality  he  uses  the  office  of 
deacon  well. 


JOHN  G.  GOOCH. 

Gooch,  John  G.,  of  McNairy  County, 
Tenn.,  was  deacon  and  clerk  of  Moss 
Creek  Church   about   forty  years  and 


PRIMITIVE  OR  OLD  SCHOOL  BAPTIST  DEACONS 


313 


clerk  of  his  association  about  the 
same  length  of  time;  was  justice  or 
the  peace  in  his  county  for  fifty-five 
years  and  chairman  of  the  county 
court  for  forty-five  years.  In  court  and 
in  church  his  mature  judgment  was 
unexcelled.  This  love  for  the  cause  of 
truth  and  desire  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  Redeemer's  Kingdom  was  the 
ruling  purpose  in  his  life.  Well-ground- 
ed in  doctrine,  strong  in  faith  and  able 


in  argument  his  vindication  of  God's 
sovereignty  was  indeed  forcible,  and 
Arminianism  could  not  be  successful- 
ly maintained  before  his  onsloughts  of 
Bible  quotations.  He  was  ever  in  his 
place  at  church,  unless  providentially 
hindered,  good  to  the  poor  and  needy, 
careful  to  look  after  his  pastor's 
needs,  and  fed  more  people  at  his  hos- 
pitable table  than  any  man  of  his 
county. 


H 


ALLEN    HAMILTON. 

Hamilton,  Allen  is  a  worthy  deacon 
of  the  church  at  Hunting  Quarters, 
Carteret  County,  N.  C.  He  united  with 
this  church  in  1S78  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  L.  H.  Hardy,  and  was  soon 
afterward  ordained  deacon  which  of- 
fice he  has  since  faithfully  filled.  He 
is  now  in  his  old  age  but  still  has  the 
same  fervent  love  for  his  pastor  and 
for  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the 
church  that  he,  as  deacon,  has  ever 
manifested.  It  is  his  delight  to  make 
any  possible  sacrifice  for  the  good  of 
the  cause,  and  yet  for  his  faithfulness 
he  has  been  persecuted.  Thus  he  has 
witnessed  the  truth  of  the  Lord's 
words,  "If  ye  will  live  godly  in  Christ 
Jesus  you  shall  suffer  persecution." 
His  occupation,  like  that  of  many  of 
our  Lord's  disciples,  is  that  of  fisher- 
man. He  lives  near  nature  and  na- 
ture's God,  and  loves  Him,  his  cause 
and  his  people. 


well  ordered  iife,  and  using  the  office 
of  deacon  well  has  purchased  to  him- 
self boldness  in  the  faith  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus. 


J.  F.   HEARD. 

Heard,  J.  F.,  of  Macon,  Ga.,  is  a  dea- 
con indeed  and  faithfully  walks  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duty.  Devoted  to  the 
cause  of  Christ  his  service  to  the 
church  is  one  of  sacred  privilege  and 
heartfelt  pleasure.  He  loves  the  peace 
and  fellowship  cf  the  church  and 
seeks  to  maintain  it  by  gospel  order 
and    wholesome    discipline    and    by    a 


JOSEPH    HELMS. 

Helms,  Joseph,  born  September  30, 
1837,  died  January  15,  1909,  married 
to  Malissa  A.  Helms,  1859,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  fourteen  children; 
united  with  Conners  Grove  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  near  Willis,  Va.,  1884, 
and  was  chosen  deacon  in  1S90.  Dea- 
con Helms  was  a  faithful  servant,  reg- 
ular attendant  at  public  worship  and 
manifested  much  love  for  the  Baptists 
and  the  cause  they  represent.  He  was, 
financially,  in  good  circumstances  and 
was  blessed  with  a  mind  to  regard  the 
poor.  And  many  have  been  the  recip- 
ients of  his  charity.  As  a  member  and 
deacon  of  the  church,  he  was  always 
ready  to  do  his  part;  and,  when  neces- 
sary, more  than  his  part,  in  raising 
any  funds  needed  in  the  church.  After 
others  had  given  what  they  felt  to 
give,  he  would  often  ask,  "How  much 
do  you  lack?"  and  then  would  supply 
all  that  was  needed.  In  the  building 
of  the  house  for  worship,  he  put  in  a 
great  deal  of  time  and  money;  and  all 
that  he  did  seemed  to  be  willingly 
and  cheerfully  done.  He  was  an  affec- 
tionate husband  and  father;  a  good 
neighbor  and  a  faithful  member  of 
the  church;  and  as  such,  he  is  greatly 
missed  in  the  family  circle,  in  the 
church,  and  in  the  community. 


B.  D.  JONES,  Sr. 

Jones,  B.  D.,  Sr.,  who  is  new  about 
eighty-seven  years  old,  is  a  member 
and  deacon  of  Morris  Hill  Church  in 
Georgia,  and  has  been  an  earnest, 
zealous  laborer  in  the  office  of  deacon. 


He  has  labored  for  the  peace  and 
prosperity  of  Zion,  has  tried  to  lock 
after  the  needy  and  to  have  his  pastor 
properly  treated  by  his  church,  and 
though  his  race  is  nearly  run  he  will 
long  live  in  the  memory  of  those  who 
knew  him  and  love  the  cause  so  dear 


314 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


to  his  heart.  B.  D.  Jones,  Jr.,  is  also 
one  of  the  worthy  deacons  of  this 
church  and  is  also  clerk  of  the  Har- 
mony Association.  He  loves  the  dear 
old  church  and  earnestly  labors  for 
her  prosperity. 


J.  S.  JOWERS. 

Jowers,   J.   S.,   of  Electric,   Ga.,  has 
his  heart  in  the  work  of  the  deacon. 


His  greatest  pleasure  seems  to  be  in- 
laboring  among  God's  children,  look- 
ing after  the  welfare  of  the  church, 
assisting  the  needy,  helping  bear  the 
pastor's  burden,  and  encouraging  oth- 
ers in  the  Christian's  warfare.  He  is- 
a  man  of  keen  discernment  and  native 
wisdom  and  is  gifted  in  exhortation 
and  prayer,  much  to  the  comfort  and 
edification  of  the  church. 


K 


J.  C.   KILLEBREW. 

Killebrew,  J.  C.,  an  honorable  man, 
useful  citizen  and  good  disciplinarian 
is  cne  of  the  worthy  deacons  of  Harts- 
field  Church  of  Hartsville,  Ga.  In  the 
labors  of  the  deaconship  he  is  ably  as-  I    house  of  God. 


sisted  by  Deacon  James  Bryant  of  the 
same  church,  and  their  labors  of  love- 
and  sacrifice  for  the  cause  of  truth 
are  many.  They  are  good  to  the  poor, 
and  to  their  pastor  and  maintain  a 
strict  but     loving     discipline     in  the 


ELIJAH    LEIGH. 


Leigh,  Elijah,  of  Hopewell,  N.  J., 
was  on  December  29,  1908,  eighty-one 
years  of  age.  He  was  born  near 
Princeton,  N.  J.,  and  has  always 
lived  within  three  miles  of  his  birth- 
place. He  has  lived  in  Princeton  about 
forty  years,  and  was  baptized  in  the 
fellowship  of  the  first  Hopewell 
Church  by  Elder  Philander  Hartwell, 
about  fifty  years  ago.  Not  very  long 
afterward  he  was  chosen  one  of  the 
deacons  of  the  church,  and  has  also 
been  clerk  of  the  church  for  about 
thirty  years.  Though  living  nine  miles 
from  the  place  of  meeting,  there  were 
very  few  times,  until  the  past  two 
years,  that  his  place  in  the  meetings 
of  the  church  was  vacant  and  then 
only  when  providentially  hindered, 
and  has,  during  all  these  years,  faith- 
fullly  looked  after  the  affairs  of  his 
church.  When  in  the  prime  of  life  an 
opening  in  business  in  the  city  of 
Trenton  was  offered  him  which  prom- 
ised much  in  the  way  of  success  in 
this  life,  and  of  gain.  Of  course  it  ap- 
peared desirable,  as  it  would  be  only 
following  an  honorable  ambition  to 
enter  into  it.  But  he  investigated  the 
matter,  and  found  soon  that  the  bus- 
iness was  such  as  would  tie  him  in 
a  large  measure,  and  hinder  him  in 
his  church  privileges  so  that  he  would 


be  compelled  to  miss  the  monthly- 
church  meetings  on  Saturday,  very 
often  at  least,  and  at  once  he  felt  to 
say  in  his  mind,  "I  must  not  tie  my- 
self in  that  way.  My  duty  to  my  God 
must  come  first."  And  so,  he  sacri- 
ficed willingly  this  opening  into  world- 
ly success,  and  has  often  said  he 
never  regretted  his  decision.  In  this- 
spirit  he  has  lived  to  old  age,  and 
commands  the  warmest  regard  of  all 
who  knew  him.  He  has  been  widely 
known  among  the  Eastern  and  North- 
ern Associations,  and  most  visitors  to 
our  Eastern  Associations,  have  felt 
cheered  by  his  warm  welcome  and 
personal  kindness  to  them.  He  has 
been  a  man  of  peace  among  his  breth- 
ren, and  in  the  church,  being  willing 
to  sacrifice  his  own  rights  and  feel- 
ings, rather  than  give  occasion  for 
controversy  and  strife.  He  has  always 
taken  pains  to  be  informed  regarding 
the  situation  of  his  pastor,  and  to  min- 
ister liberally  to  him  out  of  his  own 
means,  ever  since  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  cnurch.  He  has  not  acquir- 
ed riches.,  but  by  industry  and  frugal- 
ity, he  has  acquired  a  competency, 
and  has  no  need  to  worry  about  a  sup- 
port in  his  old  age  and  feebleness. 
Brother  Leigh  has  never  married,  but 
has  made  his  home  with  married 
brothers  and  sisters,  since  his  father's 
home  was  broken  up.  His  whole  life 
has  been  a  blessing  to  his  family,  to 
his  acquaintances,  to  the  church  of  his 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACOXS 


315 


membership,  and  to  all  the  brethren 
who  have  known  and  associated  with 
him. 


him, — is  noted  for  her  liberality,  kind- 
ness and  abiding  interest  in  her  pas- 
tor and  the  welfare  of  her  church. 


JOHN  M.  LOGAN. 

Logan,  John  M.  The  following  facts 
are  gathered  from  the  life  of  this 
highly  respected  and  truly  worthy 
brother:  "He  was  born  in  Rush  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  January  20,  1830.  In  his  twen- 
ty-first year  he  was  happily  united  in 
marriage  to  Mary  Posten,  daughter  of 
Elder  Elias  Posten.  In  1856  he  moved 
to  Wabash  County,  Ind.,  where  he  and 
his  wife  lent  their  energies  in 
strengthening  the  great  common- 
wealth of  Wabash  County.  They,  to- 
gether with  the  assistance  and  aid  of 
others,  spent  their  energies  in  build- 
ing for  the  future  generations  a  her- 
itage of  which  we  sons  of  the  younger 
may  justly  feel  proud.  He  and  his  wife 
wisely  decided  that  they  wanted  a 
home  among  the  Primitive  Baptists 
and  were  baptized  by  the  late  Elder 
John  Sparks  He  was  finally  chosen  a 
deacon  of  this  church  and  afterward 
chcsen  church  clerk  also.  Seldom  did 
he  fail  to  be  at  his  post  of  duty."  He 
departed  this  life  October  22,  1907,  in 
the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age. 
Deacon  Logan  was  a  man  loved  for 
his  noble  manliness  and  Christian 
character,  for  his  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  truth  and  zeal  in  his  labors 
in  the  Master's  Kingdom. 


JOHN    F.    LONG    (M.    D.). 

Long,  Dr.  John  F.  This  deacon,  in 
name  and  in  deed,  lives  in  Page  Coun- 
ty, Va.,  near  Luray.  He  was  born  Sep- 
tember 7,  1849,  graduated  at  Rich- 
mond Medical  College  1873  united 
with  Hawksbill  Church  1886  under  the 
preaching  of  Elder  Benjamin  Lamp- 
ten  where  he  was  soon  made  deacon 
and  still  holds  his  membership.  Dr. 
Long  is  well  established  in  the  doc- 
trine of  the  Bible  and  the  practice  of 
the  Apostolic  Church  and  ably  de- 
fends them  on  all  suitable  occasion0, 
has  served  his  church  and  the  Eben- 
ezer  Association  as  clerk,  is  a  popu- 
lar practicing  physician,  a  director  of 
one  of  the  county's  National  Banks, 
runs  a  store  and  a  farm,  yet  rarely, 
fails  to  attend  every  meeting  of  his 
church.  His  wife — Susan  (Kite)  I  on°; 
— is  not  only  a  woman  of  unusual  en- 
ergy and  business  qualifications  but 
enters  fully  into  the  work  of  the 
church    with    her    husband    and,    like 


PHILLIP    LONG. 

Long  Phillip,  was  for  many  years  a 
faithful  deacon  of  Mill  Creek  Church 
in  Page  County,  Va.  Strong  in  the  doc- 
trine of  God  our  Saviour  and  well  es- 
tablished in  the  practices  of  the 
church  he  was  a  "Father  in  Israel"  to 
many,  and  earnestly  contended  for  the 
faith  once  delivered  unto  the  Saints. 
After  an  active  and  useful  life 
he  died  several  years  ago  at  a  ripe 
old  age  in  the  full  triumph  of  faith, 
and  there  are  now  living  in  P,\ge 
County  six  of  his  children., — all,  ex- 
cept one,  members  of  the  same 
church  of  their  honored  father.  For  a 
notice  of  the  daughters  of  Deacon 
Long  see  chapter  "Spiritual  Writers, — 
Mothers  in  Israel  "  etc.,  in  another 
pcrtion  of  this  book. 


SAMUEL     B.     LUCKETT. 

Luckett,  Samuel  B.,  of  Crawfords- 
ville,  Ind.,  has  as  near  all  the  quali- 
fications of  a  deacon  as,  perhaps,  any 
among  our  people.  He  was,  in  April, 
1909,  eighty-one  years  old  and  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist many  years.  His  life  has  been  a 
useful  and  worthy  one  in  all  of  its 
details  and  all  who  know  him  well 
love  him  for  his  sterling  worth.  His 
ability  as  a  writer  has  been  admired 
by  our  people  for  many  years  and  his 
articles  in  our  papers  are  always  read 
with  interest,  pleasure  and  profit.  He 
has  served  his   church  as   deacon  for 


316 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


many  years  and  has  filled  that  office 
well.  His  chief  study  has  been  the 
good  of  the  church  and  his  chief  pleas- 
ure has  been  in  doing  service  in  its 
interest.  He  has  sought  to  find  out 
and  meet  the  expenses  of  the  church 
and  has  ever  shown  a  deep  interest 
in  his  pastor's  welfare  in  inquiring 
after  his  needs  and  seeking  to  have 
him  rightly  treated  by  the  church. 
Well-grounded  in  the  doctrine  of  God 
our  Saviour  and  firmly  established  in 


the  practices  of  the  Apostolic  church 
he  has  been  immovable  therefrom,  but 
has  contended  ably  and  earnestly  for 
the  faith  once  delivered  unto  the 
saints.  As  a  faithful  "Father  in  Isra- 
el" he  speaks  the  truth  in  love,  hold- 
ing the  mystery  of  the  faith  in  a  pure 
conscience.  Brother  Luckett's  name  is 
a  household  word  among  thousands  of 
Baptists  and  he  lives  in  the  hearts  of 
our  people. 


M 


A.  B.  MEDLAN. 

Median,  A.  B.,  of  Young  County, 
Texas,  now  in  his  eighty-third  year  of 
age,  was  born  in  Alabama,  January  8, 
1825,  moved  to  his  present  home  in 
Texas  while  a  young  man,  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  in  1879 
and  was  ordained  deacon  in  Mt.  Zion 
Church  in  1881.  His  untiring  interest 
in  the  things  of  the  Lord's  Kingdom 
has  been  more  than  is  usually  found 
in  our  deacons.  In  1882  he  built  and 
donated  a  substantial  stone  meeting- 
house to  Mt.  Zion  Church  which  the 
church  has  since  occupied.  And  in 
1899  he  presented  this  same  church 
with  a  two  hundred  acre  farm  which 
is  to  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  the 


pastor  in  charge  according  to  the 
terms  of  the  will.  Brother  Median  has 
not  only  led  an  active  life  in  the 
church  but  was  the  first  treasurer  cf 
his  county  and  has  been  a  successful 
farmer  and  stock  raiser.  Vigilant, 
faithful,  and  zealous  in  the  cause  of 
truth  he  never — unless  providentially 
hindered, — misses  his  church  meet- 
ings. Given  to  hospitality,  kind  to  the 
poor  and  tender  in  his  feelings,  much 
has  been  the  work  of  charity  done  by 
this  good  brother  and  his  faithful 
wife.  Firmly  established  in  the  doc- 
trine of  grace  he  feels  he  can  never 
do  enough  to  express  his  gratitude 
for  what  he  hopes  the  Lord  has  done 
for  him,  and  thus  he  proves  his  faith 
by  his  works. 


Mc 


e.  h.  Mcdonald. 

McDonald,  E.  H.,  of  Rectortown, 
Va.,  whose  membership  is  at  Thum 
Run  Church,  Fauquier  County,  Va., 
has  filled  the  office  of  deacon  well. 
Diligent  in  business  he  has  also  been 
prompt  in  attending  the  meetings  of 
bis  church — leaving  home  with  thresh- 
ers in  the  field  in  order  to  fill  his  seat 
at  church  on  Saturday.  He  has  also 
been  careful  to  attend  the  needs  of 
the  poor  of  the  flock,  and  ever  mind- 
ful of  the  ministers,  especially  his 
pastor.  Brother  McDonald  is  given  to 
hospitality,  not  double-tongued,  not 
given  to  much  wine,  not  greedy  of 
filthy  lucre,  holding  the  mystery  of 
the  faith  in  a  pure  conscience.  His 
life  has  been  above  reoroach. 


JOSEPH  McGEE. 

McGee,  Joseph.  This  faithful  deacon 
lives  at  Macon,  Ga.   He  is  careful  to 


maintain  order  in  God's  house,  to  Icok 
after  the  poor  and  needy  and  to  in- 
quire after  and  supply  the  needs  of 
his  pastor.  Well-grounded  in  the  doc- 
trine of  grace  he  is  immovable  there- 
from. And  satisfied  with  the  simple 
practice  cf  the  Apostolic  church  he 
wants  to  see  it  maintained.  He  is  giv- 
en to  hospitality  and  is  a  leader  in 
burden-bearing  in  the  cause  of  Christ. 


G.    H.    McGINTY. 

McGinty,  G.  H.,  of  Opelika,  Ga.,  is  a 
gifted  deacon.  He  is  faithful  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duties  for  his  heart 
is  in  the  work.  And  not  only  is  he 
careful  in  the  service  of  tables — lit- 
erally— not  forgetting  the  poor  or  neg- 
lecting his  pastor,  but  is  able  in  pray- 
er and  exhortation  and  the  Lord  has 
blessed  his  services  to  the  good  of 
others  and  strengthening  of  the 
church. 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST     DEACONS 


317 


N 


G.  F.  NEWTON. 

Newton,  G.  F.,  of  Moultrie,  Ga.,  was 
a  faithful  deacon  and  ever  ready  to  ex- 
tend a  helping  hand.  His  services  to 
the  poor  and  his  interest  in  the  wel- 
fare of  his  pastor  has  occupied  much 
of  his  time.  Grave,  not  double-tongued, 
not  given  to  much  wine,  not  greedy  of 
filthy  lucre;  holding  the  mystery  of 
the  faith  in  a  pure  conscience,  he  pur- 
chased to  him  "a  good  degree,  and 
great  boldness  in  the  faith  which  is 
in  Christ  Jesus." 


J.   W;.   NEWTON. 

Newton,  J.  W.  This  brother  is  a  dea- 
con not  in  name  only  but  in  heart  and 
in  deed.  He  is  a  servant  of  Smyrna 
Church  and  also  assistant  clerk  of  the 
Ocm-ulgee  Association.  Though  a  man 
of  wealth  he  is  not  puffed  up,  but 
humble,  kind,  loving,  and  faithful; 
good  to  the  poor,  to  the  ministry  gen- 
erally, and  to  his  pastor  especially. 
He  is  firm  in  the  faith  and  practice  of 
the  church  and  contends  earnestly  for 
the  old  landmarks.  By  using  the  office 
of  deacon  well  he  has  purchased  to 
himself  "a  good  degree,  and  great 
boldness  in  the  faith  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus,"  and  holds  the  mystery 
of  that  faith  in  a  pure  conscience. 


NORMAN,   R.  J.,  J.  S.,  W.   H.  H.,  J.  J., 
M.  C.,  AND  J.   B. 

Constitute  one  of  the  most  remark- 
able and  noted  families  in  the  state  of 
Georgia.  

Richard  J.,  was  born  in  the  year 
1836,  was  married  to  Miss  Farley  Till- 
man in  1860,  served  as  a  soldier  and 
officer  in  the  war  between  the  states, 
bearing  the  rank  of  a  Lieutenant,  and 
has,  since  the  war  served  his  native 
county  both  as  treasurer  and  as  sher- 
iff for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  bap- 
tized into  the  fellowship  of  Sardis 
Church  in  1874,  and  was  in  the  con- 
stitution of  Pleasant  Grove  Church  in 
1884,  where  his  membership  yet  re- 
mains. 

Joel  S.,  was  born  in  the  year  1838; 
married  to  Miss  Annie  Dukes,  daugh- 
ter of  Elder  Matthew  Dukes,  in  the 
year  1860.  Was  a  soldier  in  the  war 
between  the  states,  participated  in  the 


battle  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  where  he 
received  a  severe  wound  and  from 
which  he  has  ever  since  been  a  cen- 
stant  sufferer.  Was  received  into  the 
fellowship  of  Sardis  Church  in  the 
year  1866  and  baptized  by  Elder  H. 
Fuller;  was.  soon  after  chosen  to  the 
office  of  deacon,  which  positi  n  he 
continues  to  fill  to  the  satisfaction  of 
all  his  brethren.  He  was  in  the  consti- 
tution of  Pleasat  Grove  Church  in 
January,  1884,  and  still  has  his  mem- 
bership at  this  church. 

William,  H.  H.,  was  born  in  the  year 
1840;  married  to  Miss  America  Strick- 
land in  the  year  1864.  Was  a  soldier 
in  the  war  between  the  states,  losing  a 
leg  in  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  Has 
held  the  office  of  tax  receiver  of  Col- 
quitt County  for  several  terms.  Was 
received  into  the  fellowship  of  Pleas- 
ant Grove  Church  in  1890  and  baptiz- 
ed by  Elder  R.  H  Barwick,  where  he 
remains  a  faithful  member. 

Joseph  J.,  born  in  Lowndes  County, 
Ga.,  March  6,  1833,  and  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  Strickland,  April  12, 
1865.  To  this  union  were  born  ten 
children,  eight  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters, all  surviving.  He  served  as  a  sol- 
dier in  the  war  between  the  states 
from  1861  to  '65,  on  the  side  of  the 
Confederacy  though  he  bitterly  oppos- 
ed the  ordinance  of  secession  and  felt 
there  was  no  just  cause  for  such  a 
cruel  war.  He  served  his  county  in  the 
capacity  of  tax  receiver,  sheriff  and 
deputy  sheriff  for  many  years.  Was  a 
kind  and  accommodating  neighbor, 
ever  ready  to  visit  the  sick  and  dis- 
tressed and  do  all  in  his  power  to 
soothe  their  troubles.  Was  received 
and  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of 
Pleasant  Grove  Church  in  June,  1903, 
and  often  expressed  regret  for  re- 
maining out  of  the  church  so  long  af- 
ter having  a  good  hope  through  grace. 
He  sweetly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  De- 
cember  16,   1908. 

Moses,  C.,  was  born  August  18, 
1823.  Was  married  to  Eliza  Godwin 
in  1844.  This  union  was  blessed  with 
sixteen  children,  twelve  of  which  are 
still  living.  He  was  received  and  bap- 
tized into  the  fellowship  of  Sardis 
Church  fifty  years  ago  and  was  in 
the  constitution  of  Pleasant  Grove 
Church  January,  1884,  where  his 
membership  together  with  that  of 
his  devoted  wife  has  since  remained. 
Brother  Norman  is  indeed  a  "Father 
in  Israel,"  and  like  Jacob  of  old   leans 


318 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


R.  J.  NORMAN 

(72) 
J.  J.  NORMAN 

(76) 


J.  S.  NORMAN 

(67) 
M.  C.  NORMAN 
(85) 


W.  H.  H.  NORMAN 

(67) 
J.  B.  NORMAN 

(87) 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


319 


upon  his  staff  and  worships  the  God 
of  his  fathers  in  spirit  and  in  truth, 
having  no  confidence  in  the  flesh. 

Jeremiah  B.,  the  oldest  of  the  six 
Norman  brothers,  patriarchs  of  Col- 
quitt County,  was  born  in  Liberty 
County,  Ga.,  on  December  10,  1821. 
He  was  the  second  oldest  of  twelve 
children  born  to  James  M.  and  Ruth 
Norman,  who  emigrated  from  North 
Carolina  to  Georgia  in  the  year  1819. 
In  1827  his  parents  moved  from  Lib- 
erty to  now  Colquitt  (but  then  Lown- 
des County).  He  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  Ann  Handley  in  the  year  1842. 


To  this  union  were  born  twelve  chil- 
dren, seven  sons  and  five  daughters. 
When  Colquitt  County  was  formed 
1856,  he  was  chosen  as  her  first  rep- 
resentative in  the  General  Assembly. 
He  afterwards  served  several  terms 
in  both  the  Senate  and  House  and 
was  also  judge  of  the  Inferior  court 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  re- 
ceived and  baptized  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  Pleasant  Grove  Church  about 
fifteen  years  ago,  where  he  remained 
a  faithful  member  until  called  to  his 
reward  on  December  23,  1908. 


o 


W.   C.   OWINGS. 

Owings,  W.  C,  of  Callao,  Mo.,  was 
born  in  Randolph  County,  Mo.  Octo- 
ber 15,  1S35,  but  has  resided  near 
Callao,  Mo.,  since  1854.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mary  Jane  Rose,  Decem- 
ber 16,  1855  (see  notice  of  her  else- 
where i  in  this  work),  united  with 
Chariton  Church  in  1865,  was  ordain- 
ed as  deacon  in  1883,  and  has  always 
been  forward  in  all  undertakings  of 
the  church,  taking  the  lead  in  activity 
and  in  bearing  the  burdens.  He  has 
not  only  been  a  regular  attendant 
upon  the  meetings  of  his  church  but 
has    annually    visited    other    churches 


and  associations,  and  his  influence  for 
good  is  felt  far  and  near.  The  good 
of  the  cause  and  how  to  assist  in 
that  which  would  advance  that  cause 
is  his  chief  concern.  Service  to 
others  is  to  him,  not  only  a  privilege 
but  a  pleasure,  and  the  open  hospital- 
ity of  his  home  is  proverbial. 


S.    W.    OUTTERBRIDGE. 

Outterbridge,  S.  W.,  of  Roberson- 
ville,  N.  C,  is  one  of  our  most  worthy 
and  honored  deacons.  Born  January 
23,  1825,  his  life  of  eighty-four  years 
has  been  active  and  useful.  For  half 
a  century  he  has  taught  school,  stand- 
ing high  in  this  profession;  served 
two  terms  in  the  state  legislature  and 
two  and  a  half  years  in  the  Confed- 
erate army.  In  1868,  he  and  his  faith- 
ful companion,  who  is  now  in  her 
seventy-fourth  year  of  age,  were  bap- 
tized by  Elder  C.  B.  Hassell  into  the 
fellowship  of  Spring  Green  Church  in 
Martin  County.  The  regular  (month- 
ly) meeting  of  this  church — Novem- 
ber, 1908 — was  the  fortieth  anniver- 
sary of  their  membership.  During  his 
long  term  of  service  as  deacon,  Broth- 
er Outterbridge  has  endeavored  to 
look  after  the  poor  and  needy  of  the 
church  and  the  needs  of  the  pastor, 
is  a  lover  of  peace  and  of  good  men, 
vigilant,  sober  and  of  good  behavior 
in  church  and  state  and  highly  es- 
teemed among  the  people  with  whom 
he  has   labored   in   various   capacities. 


G.    PRITCHETT. 

Pritchett,  G.,  senior  deacon  in  Mor- 
ris Hill  Church,  Georgia,  is  about 
eighty-one  years  of  age  and  has  been 
a    member    of    the    Primitive    Baptist 


I  Church  about  sixty  years,  and  a  dea- 
|  con  for  many  years.  He  has  always 
been  faithful  to  attend  hsi  church 
meetings  and  if  any  reports  were  cir- 
culated against  any  member  he  would 
investigate    same    and    try    to    settle 


320 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


troubles  by  gospel  proceedings  before 
bringing  them  before  the  church.  His 
great  desire  was  to  keep  order  in  the 
church  and  to  look  after  the  necessi- 
ties of  the  poor  and  the  pastor.  Firm 


in  the  faith,  strong  in  character, 
zealous  in  the  cause  of  truth  his  in- 
fluence for  good  was  extensive  and 
his  labors  blessed  of  the  Lord. 


A.   J.   SHULER. 

Shuler,  A.  J.,  of  Stanley,  Va.  This 
faithful  man  has  used  the  office  of 
deacon  well.  Born  in  1831,  February 
2nd,  he  is  now  in  his  seventy-eighth 
year  of  age,  yet  is  active  for  his  age 
and  has  lost  none  of  his  interest  in, 
and  zeal  for  the  cause  of  truth.  Bap- 
tized in  1868  by  Elder  W.  C.  Lauck, 
united  with  Hawksbill  Church,  in 
Page  County,  Va.,  dismissed  by  letter 
in  1875  to  go  into  the  constitution  of 
a  church  at  Alma,  Page  County, 
where  he  was  made  her  first  deacon 
and  has  since  served  in  this  capacity, 
much  to  the  satisfaction  of  her  mem- 
bership, which  now  numbers  about 
seventy-five.  Brother  Shuler  has  been 
married  three  times,  has  several  chil- 
dren, many  grandchildren,  and  is  a 
man  of  extended  influence  and  useful- 
ness. Strong  in  the  doctrine  of  God 
our  Saviour  and  satisfied  with  the 
practice  of  the  Apostolic  church  he 
wants  no  new  things  in  God's  house. 
He  loves  the  cause  of  truth,  labors  for 
the  prosperity  of  Zion,  is  not  forget- 
ful of  the  poor  or  of  his  pastor  but 
does  his  duty  freely  and  urges  others 
to  do  likewise. 


PHILEMON    STOUT. 

Stout,  Philemon,  of  Sangamon 
County,  111.,  was  born  April  19.  1822, 
near  Lexington,  Ky.,  united  with  Sa- 
lem Sugar  Creek  in  1843,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Aaron  Vandever. 
He  was  chosen  clerk  of  his  church 
the  same  year  and  served  as  clerk 
until  he  was  ordained  deacon  in  1884, 
since  which  time  he  has  proved  a 
faithful  deacon,  holding  the  mystery 
of  the  faith  in  a  pure  conscience,  and 
purchased  to  himself  a  good  degree, 
and  great  boldness  in  the  faith.  And 
now  in  his  eighty-seventh  year  of 
age  he  is  spending  the  evening  of 
his  life  in  peacefulness  and  quietude, 
strong   in   the   faith   of   "salvation   by 

grace."  : 

J.  J.  SUTTON. 

Sutton,  J.  J.,  of  Sillmore,  Ga.,  is 
as  a  deacon,  faithfully  laboring  in  the 
Master's  vineyard.  Having  the  cause 
at  heart  he  finds  pleasure  in  the 
work  and  feels  that  the  neglect  of 
duty  by  others  does  not  excuse  him. 
Vigilant,  sober  and  of  good  behavior, 
not  double-tongued,  but  open-hearted 
and  faithful  and  given  to  hospitality 
he  is  highly  esteemed  for  the  works' 
sake  and  loved  for  his  usefulness  in 
and  zeal  for,  the  cause  of  Christ. 


WM.  THIGPEN. 


Thigpen,  Wm.,  of  Tarboro,  N.  C. 
Deacon  Thigpen  was  one  of  nature's 
noblemen.  Born  October  11,  1799,  and 
died  June  3,  1886,  and  uniting  with 
the  church  before  the  division  in  the 
Baptist.  Church  he  lived  in  a  time  that 
tried  one's  faith.  For  more  than  half 
a  century  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Primitive  Baptists  and  a  faithful  dea- 
con for  a  quarter  of  a  century  or 
more.  As  long  as  able  to  attend  his 
church  he  was  an  active,  vigilant 
member,  genial  and  loving  in  his 
manners  and  open-hearted  and  cha- 
ritable to  the  poor.  His  house  was  a 
welcome    home    for    Baptists    and    his 


greatest  pleasure  seemed  to  be  in  the 
worship  of  God  and  the  service  of 
others,  and  he  left  an  impress  upon 
the  community  in  which  he  lived  as 
a  law-abiding,  God-fearing  man,  a 
good  neighbor  and  a  faithful,  consist- 
ent member  of  the  church  he  profess- 
ed to  love.  He  was  indeed  a  "Father 
in  Israel"  and  used  the  office  of  dea- 
con well,  was  a  student  of  the  Bible 
and  an  excellent  disciplinarian. 


MICAJAH    G.    THOMAS. 

Thomas,  Micajah  G  ,  of  North  Car- 
olina, was  born  in  1809,  and  died  in 
1863.    He    was    for   many   years    clerk 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


321 


and  deacon  of  Flat  River  Church  and 
was  highly  esteemed  for  his  faithful 
service  in  the  Master's  vineyard  and 
his  love  for  the  cause  of  truth. 
Though  he  passed  away  nearly  half 
a  century  ago  yet  his  memory  is  still 
cherished  by  those  who  remember  his 
life  and  character. 


BRYANT    THOMPSON. 

Thompson,  Bryant,  of  Gainsville, 
Texas.  This  faithful  deacon  was  born 
in  Wilson  County,  N.  C,  February  10, 
1837,  married  to  Sarah  A.  Creech  in 
1867,  and  both  joined  the  Primitive 
Baptist  at  Healthy  Plains  Church  of 
the  Black  Creek  Association.  About 
the  year  1889  they  moved  to  Cooke 
County,  Texas,  and  united,  by  letters, 
with  Walnut  Spring  Church,  which 
church  ordained  Brother  Thompson 
to  the  office  of  deacon  in  1890.  This 
position  he  has  since  held,  and  ear- 
nestly labors  for  the  welfare  of  Zion 
and  the  good  of  the  cause. 


W.    C.    TREVATHAN. 

Trevathan,  W.  C.  This  lovely  broth- 
er   died    at    his   home    in    Rocky    Mt, 


N.  C,  June  18,  1908,  at  the  ripe  old 
age  of  nearly  eighty  years.  Since 
early  manhood  he  had  been  a  devout 
member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church.  So  loyal  and  zealous  was  he 
in  his  young  days  that  he  felt  like  al- 
most non-fellowshipping  a  brother  for 
sleeping  in  church,  but  in  his  old  age 
he  fell  into  this  weakness  and  would 
employ  various  methods  to  overcome 
his  drowsiness.  For  many  years  he 
was  a  deacon  of  the  church  at  the 
Falls  of  Tar  River,  and  was  one  who 
loved  peace  and  earnestly  labored  for 
it.  When  he  learned  there  was  a  trou- 
ble brewing  he  would  lay  down  ordi- 
nary matters  and  visit  the  parties,  so 
that,  if  possible  the  trouble  might  be 
settled  before  it  entered  the  church; 
but  if  it  could  not  be  he  would  see 
that  it  came  in  the  church  in  the 
right  way.  He  was  faithful  in  telling 
others  of  their  faults  and  of  confess- 
ing his  own;  a  lover  of  good  men, 
not  covetous,  but  sought  to  honor 
Jesus  and  benefit  his  people.  He  went 
far  and  near  to  hear  preaching,  re- 
membered the  poor,  did  not  forget  the 
needs  of  his  pastor  and  proved  him- 
self an  excellent  deacon.  Such  a  name 
is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  great 
riches. 


V 


W.  W.   VICK. 

Vick,  W.  W.  This  worthy  deacon  is 
a  member  of  the  church  at  Williams, 
Edgecombe  County,  N.  C,  and  is  high- 
ly esteemed  for  his  amiable  disposi- 
tion, moral  character  and  many 
Christian  virtues.  Kind  and  gentle, 
and  patient  yet  firm  and  steadfast  in 
the  faith  and  practice  of  the  church 
he  desires  to  see  order  in  the  house 
of  God  and  labors  for  peace  and  fel- 
lowship on  gospel  grounds.  Not  dou- 
ble-tongued, nor  given  to  much  wine, 


nor  greedy  of  filthy  lucre  he  holds  the 
mystery  of  the  faith  in  a  pure  con- 
science and  is  willing  to  spend  and 
be  spent  in  the  cause  of  truth,  though 
his  church,  as  hundreds  of  others,  do 
not  fully  untie  the  hands  of  her  dea- 
cons that  they  might  more  freely  and 
fully  enter  into  the  work  of  the  dea- 
conship.  Brother  Vick  has  a  good  re- 
port without  and  people  outside  the 
church,  as  well  as  his  own  brethren, 
have  the  utmost  confidence  in  him, 
and  thus  his  influence  for  good  is  ex- 
tended and  his  usefulness  manifest. 


w 


F.  B.  WILDER. 

Wilder,  F.  B.,  of  Griffin,  Ga.,  is  a 
most  faithful  deacon,  ever  ready  to 
look  after  the  poor,  and  his  pastor, 
and  to  see  that  each  infirm  member 
is  provided  with  a  way  to  attend  the 
worship  of  God.  Given  to  hospitality 
in  a  great  degree  his  home  is  ever 
open  to  his  brethren  and  his  attention 
and  service  to  them  is  proverbial.  In 
the    conferences   of  his   church   he   is 


fully  awake  to  the  needs  of  the 
church  and  a  leader  in  bearing  the 
expenses  of  same.  Brother  Wilder  is 
also  gifted  in  prayer,  and  this  is  a 
great  help  to  the  church  and  encour- 
aging to  the  pastor.  A  deacon,  who 
will  at  the  time  of  service  say,  "Come 
in,  brethren,  let  us  begin  the  worship 
of  God,"  and  who  will,  if  the  minis- 
ter is  not  present,  read  God's  Word, 
talk  of  His  goodness  and  publicly 
pray  for  a  continuation  of  His  bless- 


322 


PRIMITIVE    OR    OLD    SCHOOL    BAPTIST    DEACONS 


ings  is  worth  much  to  the  cause  of 
God  and  truth.  And  such  service  so 
much  needful  in  the  minister's  ab- 
sence, is  not  out  of  place  in  his  pres- 
ence, but  is  beneficial  to  the  cause 
and  edifying  to  the  body  and  may  our 
deacons  be  encouraged  in  public 
prayer  and  exhortation. 


CALVIN     WOODARD. 

Woodard,  Calvin  (1827-1887),  of 
Wilson,  N.  C,  was  a  most  indus- 
trious, humble,  truthful,  honest,  tem- 
perate, moral,  self-controlled,  fearless, 
gentle,  kind  and  self-denying  man. 
People   outside    as   well    as    inside    of 


the  church  had  the  greatest  confi- 
dence in  him.  He  was  a  most  earnest 
opponent  of  the  use  of  alcoholic 
drinks.  He  tenderly  sympathized  with 
and  generously  ministered  of  his 
worldly  substance  to  the  needy  and 
the  afflicted,  making  his  house  the 
home  of  many  destitute  and  suffering 
ones  and  taking  care  of  his  aged  pas- 
tor the  last  four  and  a  half  years  of 
his  own  life.  His  Bible  and  his 
church,  the  preaching  of  the  word, 
the  singing  of  spiritual  songs,  the 
company  of  his  brethren,  and  the 
name  and  cause  of  Christ  were  ex- 
ceedingly precious  to  him.  Such  a 
Christian  life  as  Deacon  Woodard  is 
an  unanswerable  refutation  of  all  the 
infidelity  in  the  world.  He  feared  God 
and  had  nothing  else  to  fear. 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL."  323 


TALENTED  AND  SPIRITUALLY-MINDED  SISTERS 
AND  "MOTHERS  IN  ISRAEL" 


"Let  your  women  keep  silence  in  the  churches;  for  it  is  not  permitted 
unto  them  to  speak;  but  they  are  commanded  to  be  under  obedience,  as 
also  saith  the  law,  And  if  any  will  learn  let  them  ask  their  husbands  at 
home,  for  it  is  a  shame  for  women  to  speak  in  the  church."  1  Cor.  xiv: 
34-35. 

"Let  the  women  learn  in  silence  with  all  subjection;  but  I  suffer  not  a 
woman  to  teach,  nor  to  usurp  authority  over  the  man,  but  to  be  in  si- 
lence." 1  Tim.  ii:  11-12. 

The  Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptist  believing  the  above  Scripture,  are 
not  advocates  of  the  modern  practice  of  women  preaching.  This  practice 
originated,  not  with  Christ  and  His  Apostles,  but  with  George  Fox,  the 
founder  of  the  Quakers,  or  "Society  of  Friends"  who  lived  in  the  seven- 
teenth   century. 

But  while  women  are  not,  by  God's  word,  permitted  to  teach  pub- 
licly in  the  church,  yet  all  speaking  is  not  prohibited;  they  may  speak  their 
experiences  to  the  church,  give  an  account  of  the  work  of  God  on  their 
souls,  speak  to  one  another  in  Psalms, hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  and  speak 
as  evidence  in  any  church  case.  They  may  also  teach  privately  their  chil- 
dren (Eph.,  vi:l-3;  Col.  iii,  20),  teach  other  women  (Titus  ii,  3-5),  and  teach 
men  also  (Acts,  xviii,  26  and  xxi,  9).  But  to  exceed  the  limits  of  God's 
Word  and  assume  the  position  of  preachers  or  public  teachers  is  con- 
trary to  natural  modesty  and  bashfulness  of  the  sex,  is  a  shame  to  them- 
selves, a  disgrace  to  the  church,  and  betrays  uncommon  pride  and  vanity, 
and    unnatural    boldness    and    confidence. 

And  the  editor  is  confident  that  each  of  the  sisters  mentioned  in  the 
following  pages,  could  they  speak  on  the  subject,  would  express  the  above 
sentiment,  for  they  shrink  from  publicity,  have  sought  no  public  position 
in  the  church,  nor  personal  mention  in  the  pages  of  this  book.  On  the  contrary 
the  editor  met  with  much  difficulty  in  obtaining  sufficient  data  for  the  fol- 
lowing notices.  All  had  to  be  earnestly  requested,  some  urged,  and  others 
never  did  give  their  consent  for  this  publicity,  and  it  was  only  by  the  per- 
sistent efforts  of  the  editor  and  the  assistance  of  friends  that  these  few 
sketches  are  presented,  which  gives  the  reader  but  a  faint  glimpse  of  the 
influence,  loyalty,  and  faithfulness  of  our  noble  women  in  the  noble  cause 
of  God  and  truth.  It  has  been  well  said  that  she  is  "the  power  behind  the 
throne,"  "the  unseen  hand  that  controls  the  affairs  of  men,"  "the  last  at 
the  tomb  and  the  first  at  the  resurrection;"  and,  may  this  brief  men- 
tion of  her  be  blessed  of  the  Lord  to  the  comfort  of  many,  the  good  of  the 
cause  ami  the  glory  of  His  name, 


324 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


MRS.    BETTIE   ALESHIRE. 


Aleshire,  Mrs.  Bettie.  This  worthy 
sister  and  faithful  "Mother  in  Israel," 
on  March  6,  1909,  passed  her  seventy- 
fourth  mile-post  on  the  road  of  time. 
She  has  lived  in  Page  County,  Va.,  all 
her  life,  united  with  Mill  Creek 
Church  nearly  half  a  century  ago  and 
has  ever  lived  a  life  consistent  with 
her  godly  profession.  Sister  Aleshire 
is  noted  for  her  faithfulness  to  her 
church  and  pastor,  her  cheerful  dis- 
position and  true  hospitality.  Nor 
does  she  forget  the  minister's  wife  in 


her  contributions,  but  delights  in 
sending  "something  extra"  for  her 
purse  and  own  use.  She  loves  the  doc- 
trine of  grace.  It  has  been  a  comfort 
to  her  upon  the  tempestuous  sea  of 
time  and  she  has  a  sweet  hope  that 
it  will  safely  land  her  in  the  blest 
haven  of  rest.  Among  her  living  chil- 
dren the  following  are  members  of 
the  church  with  her:  J.  B.  Aleshire, 
deacon  of  Mill  Creek  Church,  Mrs.  J. 
Lee  Burner,  Mrs.  A.  Shirley  and  Mrs. 
J.  L.  Yowell,  all  of  Page  County,  Va., 
and  especially  noted  for  their  hospi- 
tality and  love'  for  the  doctrine  of 
grace. 


B 


MRS.  S.  ELLA   BAKER. 

Baker,  Mrs.  S.  Ella,  of  Buckeyes- 
town,  Md.,  whose  membership  is  at 
Seneca  Church,  is  indeed  a  faithful 
and  worthy  sister  and  great  friend  to 
the  cause  of  truth.  She  has  done 
much  in  building  up  churches,  assist- 
ing our  ministers  and  helping  the 
poor  and  needy.  But  like  most  of  our 
sisters  she  would  not  consent  to  fur- 
nish any  information  of  her  life  and 
service  in  the  Master's  vineyard,  and 
the  editor  had  to  gather  information 
"here  and  there."  It  is  not  our  pur- 
pose to  deal  in  eulogy  but  when  we 
have  among  us  such  true,  faithful  and 
unselfish  member  as  Sister  Baker 
whose  donations  of  hundreds  of  dol- 
lars to  the  building  of  church  houses 
and  the  good  of  the  cause  has  been 
so  beneficial  and  highly  appreciated 
by  the  Baptists  of  the  Ketocton  and 
Ebenezer  associations,  we  want  others 
to  know  of  it  also.  And  not  only  does 
our  sister  find  pleasure  in  helping  in 
the  cause  of  truth  in  a  financial  way, 
but  also  in  attending  the  pub'ic 
worship  of  the  churches  and  associ- 
ations and  in  visiting  among  those  of 
like  precious  faith  with  her. 


CATHERINE  REBECCA  BARTLEY. 

Bartley,  Catherine  Rebecca,  died  at 
midnight,  August  6,  1905,  at  the  home 
of    her    sister,    Mrs.    Dorcas    Luckett, 


Corydon,  Ind.  Her  long  life  of  years 
were  filled  with  kind  and  loving 
deeds,  and  an  example  of  zeal  and  de- 
votion to  the  cause  of  God.  Sister 
Bartley's  parents  (Adam  and  Nancy 
Douglass)  were  devoted  Baptists,  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Booten  in  Shenandoah 
County,  Va.  They  moved  to  Harrison 
Countv,  Ind.,  in  1834,  where  their 
seven  children  grew  to  be  worthy 
men  and  women.  Ground  had  been 
given  from  the  farm  they  bought  for 
a  cemetery  and  meeting-house,  and 
old  Goshen  was  among  the  first 
churches  built  in  Indiana.  Sheltowie, 
a  gravel-bedded  stream,  made  one 
boundary  line,  and  in  its  clear  waters 
many  were  baptized  in  bygone  days. 
Sister  Bartley  united  with  the  church 
at  the  age  of  nineteen  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  Jas.  Armstrong.  She 
was  married  in  early  life  to  Joel  Bart- 
ley, but  many  years  of  widowhood 
came  to  her  after  his  death.  Her 
home  was  near  the  old  meeting-house, 
and  it  is  difficult  to  say  which  home 
was  most  dear  to  her.  Her  striking 
traits  of  character  were  kindness  of 
heart  in  word  and  deed.  Her  disposi- 
tion was  most  cheerful  and  her  devo- 
tion to  truth  like  gold  tried  in  the 
fire.  She  belonged  to  that  great  army 
of  Christian  women,  who,  hidden  from 
the  world,  work  out  the  problem  of 
life,  as  taught  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  A 
great  man  has  said.  "They  also  serve 
who  only  stand  and  wait."  What  then 
shall  we  say  of  one  who  runs  in  the 
way  of  holiness,  whose  speech  is  full 
of  thanksgiving  and  praise,  and  whose 
every  act  is  a  deed  of  love? 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL. 


325 


MRS.    I.   W.    BASS. 

Bass,  Mrs.  I.  W.  Sister  Dellia  Bass 
was  born  in  Nash  County,  N.  C,  in 
1842,  was  married  to  W.  ML  Daugh- 
teredge  in  her  seventeenth  year  and 
is  the  mother  of  thirteen  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  now  living  and  a 
consolation  to  her  in  her  old  age.  She, 
with  her  first  husband,  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  at  the  Palls  of 
Tar  River  in  1874.  He  died  in  1894, 
and  she  was  in  1897  married  to  Bro.  I. 
W.  Bass  also  a  member  of  the  same 
church.  Sister  Bass  is  a  kind,  affec- 
tionate and  industrious  woman,  a 
strong  believer  in  the  doctrine  of 
grace,  a  firm  friend  to  the  Baptists 
and  the  cause  they  represent.  Her 
home  is  indeed  a  "Home  for  Bap- 
tists" and  she  and  her  husband  at  a 
recent  session  of  the  Kehukee  Asso- 
ciation entertained  about  eighty 
guests.  It  can  be  truly  said  of  her 
that  she  is  spiritually  minded.  It  is 
her  meat  and  her  drink  to  talk  about 
the  goodness  and  mercy  of  God  to 
poor  sinners,  to  attend  the  assembly 
of  the  saints  and  serve  her  brethren 
and  sisters  of  the  household  of  faith. 


MRS.    EMILY    BOOTON. 

Booton,  Mrs.  Emily,  a  life-time  resi- 
dent of  Luray,  Va.,  is  now  in  the 
seventy-fifth  year  of  her  age,  yet 
bright,  cheerful  and  active  with  una- 
bated energy,  determination  and  zeal. 
Possessed  with  a  natural  conversa- 
tional gift,  a  mind  well  stored  with 
information  and  a  retentative  mem- 
ory, she  is  entertaining  and  instruc- 
tive in  her  conversation,  and  is  what 
is  termed   "good   company."   She  is  a 


daughter  of  Elder  Wm.  C.  Lauck  and 
widow  of  Elder  John  K.  Booton,  was 
baptized   by    her   father    into   the    fel- 
lowship   of    Mt.    Carmel      Old    School 
Baptist  church  in  Luray    in  the  twen- 
ty-fourth    year   of   her     age  and   has 
since   lived   a   faithful   and   consistent 
life.  Three  children — Mrs.  Henry  Ben- 
son of  Maryland,  Mrs.  Mattie  Grayson 
of    Philadelphia,    and    Prof.    John    H. 
Booton,     of     Luray,     Va.      all     mem- 
bers   of    her    church, — live     to     com- 
fort her  in  the  evening   of  life.  Like 
her  eminent  father,  Sister  Booton  has 
a  distaste   for  photographic  notoriety 
and   no    picture   of    her    could    be   ob- 
tained.   She   is   well   informed  on   the 
doctrine   and   practice   of   the   church, 
and,   within   the    period   of   her   recol- 
lection, is  an  authority  on  the  subject, 
from   an   Old     School     Baptist  stand- 
point.   Recently,      while    testifying    in 
the   Mt.    Carmel     Church     case   occa- 
sioned   by    an    attempt    of    the    "Bur- 
nam  Party"  to  possess  this  property, 
she  was  being  questioned  in  regard  to 
Sunday  schools,  and  brought  out  the 
point  of  parental  teaching  in  a  very 
clear  manner.  To  the  inquiry,  that  as 
Baptists    opposed    Sunday     schools    if 
they    also    opposed    teaching    children 
the   Bible,    she    replied:    "No,    but   on 
the  contrary  advocated  it;  that  it  was 
the  custom  of  her  father  and  her  hus- 
band  to    read   the   Bible    and    discuss 
its   teaching   in   their     families;    that 
the  children  of  Baptists  usually  knew 
as   much   about     the     Bible   as   other 
children,    and    that    her    little    seven- 
year-old    girl,    on    being    asked    what 
was  she,  quickly  replied,  "Old  School 
Baptist,    because   I   believe   'by    grace 
are  ye   saved   through   faith.' "   Sister 
Booton  loves  the   cause  of  truth  and 
is  highly  esteemed  among  her  people. 


MRS.    LUCY    G.    BRUMBACK. 

Brumback,  Mrs.  Lucy  G.  This  gift^ 
ed  sister  is  the  youngest  daughter  of 
the  late  Elder  Wm.  C.  Lauck,  and 
was  born  in  1849,  baptized  in  her  sev- 
enteenth year  by  her  father  into  the 
fellowship  of  Mt.  Carmel  Church,  Lu- 
ray, Va.,  and  about  the  year  1888  mov- 
ed her  membership  from  this  church 
because  of  the  Sunday  school  intro- 
duced within  her  walls  by  Elder  E.  H. 
Burnam — which,  with  other  Arminian 
practices  and  the  doctrine  of  gospel 
regeneration  led  to  a  split  in  the 
church  in  1890.  Sister  Brumback  then 
united  with  Hawksbill  Church  near 
her  home  where  her  membership  has 
since  remained  and  where  her  husband 
— Bro.   E.   T.   Brumback — is  a  worthy 


326 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


deacon,  and  where  four  out  of  five 
living  children  are  members  of  the 
same  church  with  her.  Her  home  is  at 
the  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge  mountain 
in  Page  County,  and  is  a  home  noted 
for  its  hospitality,  and  she  is  well 
known  to  many  readers  of  Zion's  Ad- 
vocate, Gospel  'Messenger,  Primitive 
Monitor  and  other  of  our  papers  as 
the  "Mountain  Home"  writer.  But 
while  she  is  a  gifted  writer  and  well 


MRS.   LUCY  G.    BRUMBACK 

grounded  in,  and  ably  defends,  the 
doctrine  and  practice  of  the  Apos- 
tolic church  as  maintained  by  the 
Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptists,  yet 
she  is  most  noted  for  her  lovely 
Christian  character,  works  of  charity 
and  zeal  and  faithfulness  in  the 
cause  of  truth.  Love  is  the  prominent 
element  of  her  character — love  to 
God,  His  people  and  His  truth.  And 
this  love  is  not  in  word  only,  but  in 
deed.  To  make  sacrifices  for  others 
seems  to  be  her  chief  delight,  and 
many  are  the  lives  that  have  been 
brightened — many  the  hearts  that 
have  been  comforted  by  her  ministra- 
tions. She  delights  to  see  her  church 
alive  to  its  duty,  the  poor  not  neglect- 
ed, the  pastor's  hands  upheld  and  his 
family  cared  for;  and  in  such  labors 
of  love  she  is  a  leading  spirit.  Her 
example  of  faithfulness  is  proverbial, 
for  though  unable  to  hear  any  part  of 
public  worship  on  account  of  almost 
total  deafness,  caused,  evidently  by 
some  catarrhal  affection  of  the  head, 
yet  she  never  misses  a  meeting  of  her 
church  unless  providentially  hinder- 
ed. She  says  the  Lord  is  so  good  to 
her  that  she  does  not  want  to  neglect 
her  duty  and  though  she  cannot  hear, 
she  can  see.  And  her  pastor  is  confi- 
dent that  she  feels,  as  well  as   sees, 


for  often  while  he  is  trying  to  describe 
the  goodness  of  God  and  the  glories  of 
His  salvation  has  he  observed  tears 
of  rejoicing  trickling  down  her  cheek. 
Her  religion  is  a  real,  living,  every- 
day principle  that  bears  the  good 
fruit  of  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering, 
gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meeknefcs, 
temperance,  and  is  a  living  rebuke  to 
a  form  of  godliness  which  denies  the 
power  thereof. 


MRS.   LUCIE  C.  BUCK. 

Buck,  Mrs.  Lucie  C,  was  the  neice 
of  Elder  Thomas  Buck,  who  was  for 
many  years  pastor  of  "Waterlick  and 
Happy  Creek  churches  in  Warren 
County,  Va.  She  united  with  the  Hap- 
py Creek  Church  in  1SG7,  and  during 
her  long  life  was  devoted  to  the 
cause,  and  zealous  in  all  good  works, 
and  was  rightly  termed  by  her  pastor 
"A  Mother  in  Israel."  In  1872  she  was 
married  to  Dr.  Samuel  Buck  who  was 
also  a  member  of  the  church  to  which 
she  belonged.  After  his  death  in  1874 
she  resided  with  a  brother  in  Front 
Royal  where  she  enjoyed  the  privilege 
of  attending  worship  at  her  church, 
until  several  years  before  her  death 
when  ill  health  prevented  her  attend- 
ance. She  suffered  greatly  with  her 
eyes,  and  had  several  operations  per- 
formed for  cataract,  and  two  years 
before  her  death  had  a  stroke  of  par- 
alysis, but  bore  her  suffering  with  un- 
failing patience  and  submission  until 
a  second  stroke  of  paralysis  in  1904 
ended  a  long  and  useful  life.  Her 
chief  characteristics  were  loyalty  to 
her  church,  her  family  and  friends. 
She  was  generosity  itself,  and  ever 
ready  to  assist  in  all  good  works,  and 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


327 


many  hours  were  spent  at  the  bedside 
of  the  sick  and  suffering.  She  longed 
for  her  release  when  affliction  ended 
her  activities,  but  awaited  with  pa- 
tience the  summons  of  her  "Father  and 
her  God"  and  to  receive  the  verdict 
of  "well  clone,  good  and  faithful  ser- 
vant."  Just   before    her   death — which 


occurred  May  6,  1904, — she  roused 
from  an  unconscious  state,  her  face 
became  radiant  as  if  she  saw  a  heav- 
enly vision  and  looking  upward  and 
raising  her  arm  she  exclaimed,  "Up, 
up,"  and  sweetly  fell  asleep  in  that 
faith  in  Jesus  that  had  sustained  her 
amid  all  the  trials  of  life. 


MRS.    RUTH    F.    COX. 

Cox,  Mrs.  Ruth  F.,  of  Richmond, 
Mo.  This  worthy  sister  is  not  only 
well  known  to  many  readers  as  a 
writer  of  prose  on  spiritual  subjects 
but  has  also  written  several  poems. 
While  the  editor's  limited  space  will 
not  permit  him  to  publish  them  here 
yet  he  gives  below  one  of  her  bright- 
est,  which  is   on  the  subject  of 

Heavenly   Recognition. 

Shall  we  know     as  we  are  known, 
When  we  meet  around  the  Throne? 


In  that  world  so  bright  and  fair, 
Shall  we  know  each  other  there? 

Shall  we  meet  with  those  we  love, 
In  that  happy  home  above? 
Shall  we  greet  them,  face  to  face, 
In  one  long  and  sweet  embrace? 

Shall   we  know   a  mother,   dear, 
Whom    we    long    have    mourned    for 

here? 
Or  shall  the  earthly  ties  that  bind, 
In  the  grave  be  left  behind? 

'Tis  enough,  enough  for  me, 
If  I  my  blessed  Lord  shall  see; 
And  He  bids  me  enter  in 
Ever  more  to  dwell  with  Him. 


D 


MISS    BESSIE    DURAND. 


Durand,  Miss  Bessie,  of  Southamp- 
ton, Pa.,  was  born  March  30,  1828,  in 
Herrick,  Bradford  County,  Pa.  She 
was  the  eighth  of  a  family  of  four- 
teen children,  of  whom  Elder  Silas  H. 


Durand  was  the  eleventh.  These  two 
are  the  only  survivors  of  that  family. 
Their  home  has  been  for  the  past 
twenty-four  years  at  Southampton, 
Pa.,  and  is  indeed  a  home  for  Baptists 
and  noted  for  true  hospitality.  She 
received  a  hope  in  Christ  in  1852,  and 
was  baptized  in  the  fellowship  of  the 
Old  School  Baptist  Church  at  Vaughn 
Hill,  Pa.,  in  April,  1853.  Somte  years 
afterward  she  wrote  her  experience 
to  Elder  Gilbert  Beebe,  asking  him 
not  to  publish  it.  At  his  urgent  re- 
quest, however,  she  consented  to  its 
publication,  and  it  appeared  in  the 
"Signs  of  the  Times"  of  April  1,  1864. 
It  was  unusually  interesting,  as  very 
many  have  testified.  During  the  last 
forty-four  years  she  has  written  con- 
siderably for  the  "Signs,"  and  her 
writings  have  comforted  many  of  the 
dear  family  of  God.  She  has  also  had 
a  wide  private  correspondence.  She 
was  associated  with  her  brother  in 
the  publication  of  a  very  interesting 
little  book  entitled  Reminiscences  and 
Letters  of  Mary  Parker,  and  is  indeed 
a  talented,  humble  and  highly  es- 
teemed Baptist  and  a  gifted  writer  on 
spiritual  subjects. 


328 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


MISS   LOUISA  A.   EDWARDS. 

Edwards,  Miss  Louisa  A.,  of  Palk- 
ton,  N.  C.  This  worthy  sister  is  a 
member  of  Lawyer  Spring  Church  and 
was  baptized  by  Elder  Isaac  Jones  May, 


1893.  From  her  earliest  recollec- 
tion she  has  serious  thoughts  about 
eternal  things  and  as  a  child,  found 
more  pleasure  sitting  at  the  feet  ot 
old  people  and  listening  at  them  talk, 
than  she  did  playing  with  other  chil- 
dren. Especially  was  she  anxious  to 
hear  the  subject  of  religion  discussed. 
She  is  unable  to  tell  when  she  was 
first  convicted  of  sins  but  when  about 
thirteen  years  of  age  the  burden  of 
conviction  was  very  heavy  and  so 
downcast  was  she  that  she  feared  she 
had  some  serious  heart  trouble  or  was 
losing  her  mind.  But  the  Lord  was 
her  teacher  and  led  her  about  and  in- 
structed her,  impressed  on  her  ten- 
der mind  sweet  promises  of  Scipture, 
gave  her  a  hope  in  the  Saviour  and 
an  ear  to  hear  the  joyful  sound  of  the 
gospel  trumpet.  She  has  found  much 
comfort  in  the  church  and  has  been 
a  comfort  to  many  others,  by  her 
spiritual  conversation,  and  private 
and  public  correspondence.  To  read- 
ers of  "Zion's  Landmark"  she  is  es- 
pecially well  known  by  her  published 
writings. 


NANCY    CAROLINE    FARTHING. 

"Farthing,  Mrs.  Nancy  Caroline.  This 
faithful,  loving,  noble  sister  was  born 
February  26,  1825,  near  where  the 
town  of  Durham  now  stands,  and  died 
February  26,  1908,  making  her  eighty- 
three  years  old  the  day  she  fell 
asleep.  She  was  married  to  brother 
William  Farthing  February  12,  1843, 
received  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
church  at  Eno  near  her  home  in  1848, 
baptized  by  Elder  George  Coggins, 
and  remained  a  member  at  Eno  while 
she  lived.  Her  home  was  a  home  for 
Primitive  Baptists  and  many  others 
who  loved  good  behavior.  She  and  her 
husband  were  industrious  and  frugal, 
conscientious  and  loving  in  their 
lives.  Hers  was  a  meek  and  quiet 
spirit  which  is  of  great  price  in  the 
sight  of  God.  In  all  her  life  she  was 
meek  and  humble,  faithful  and  gentle 
and  greatly  beloved  by  her  people. 
Elder  P.  D.  Gold  says  of  her:  "If  she 
had  faults  they  were  hid  under  the 
mantle  of  charity  so  I  did  not  see 
them.  Of  her  virtues  she  possessed 
the  full  number.  *  *  *  Her  conversa- 
tion was  gifted  and  rich  in  Bible  ex- 


pressions of  its  holy  principles.  Her 
desire  was  to  be  reconciled  to  the  will 
of  the  Lord  God  and  her  Lord,  and 
she  peacefully  fell  asleep  in  the  rest 
of  those  asleep  in  Jesus.  Surviving 
her  there  are  two  sons  and  two 
daughters,  all  noble  and  loving  peo- 
ple, and  faithful  children  rising  up  to 
call  their  mother  blessed.  She  set 
such  a  noble  example  of  friendship 
and  faithfulness  in  her  relations  of 
life,  and  her  children  are  much  devot- 
ed to  each  other.  I  have  spent  many 
hours  in  that  family,  but  have  never 
seen  an  act  of  any  one  of  them  to- 
wards another  one  but  that  of  great 
kindness,  nor  have  I  ever  heard  from 
the  lips  of  any  of  them  any  expression 
but  that  of  kindness  to  all  the  others. 
Brother  G.  C.  Farthing,  the  oldest  liv- 
ing member  of  the  family,  has  been  a 
member  of  the  church  at  Durham 
many  years,  and  is  well  known  by  our 
people  as  one  of  the  most  prompt, 
faithful  and  useful  members  of  the 
Primitive  Baptists,  and  one  of  the 
most  devoted  sons  to  his  mother  I 
have  ever  seen.  Indeed  .all  of  them 
loved  to  obey  and  honor  her  while 
she  lived,  and  love  her  memory  after 
she  is  gone." 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL. 


329 


KATE    R.     FORBES. 

Forbes,  Mrs.  Kate  R.,  of  Kansas 
City,  Mo.  The  name  of  this  sister  is 
often  seen  attached  to  articles  pub- 
lished in  the  "Signs  of  the  Times," 
"The  Messenger  of  Peace,"  and  other 
of  our  religious  periodicals.  She  was 
born  in  Halifax  County,  N.  C,  Febru- 


ary 12,  1842,  moved  with  her  father 
to  "West  Tennessee,  when  about  ton 
years  of  age  and  later  in  life  moved 
to  Missouri.  When  about  the  age  of 
twenty-one  she  united  with  the  New 
School  or  Missionary  Baptists,  but 
soon  became  dissatisfied  with  them 
and  became  so  much  impressed  with 
the  scripture,  "Come  out  from  among 
them  and  be  ye  separate,"  etc.,  that 
she  wrote  for  her  name  to  be  erased 
from  the  church  book,  feeling  that 
she  would  never  belong  to  another 
church.  But  the  God  of  Providence 
led  her  to  hear  of  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists. She  visited  them,  was  charmed 
with  the  doctrine  of  grace  and  experi- 
mental religion  as  preached  by  them, 
united  with  LaFountaine  Church  in 
Wilson  County,  Kan.,  and  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  J.  T.  Swinney.  Her 
membership  is  now  with  the  church 
in  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  of  which  Elder 
W.  T.  Brown  is  pastor.  Sister  Forbes 
is  a  highly  esteemed  Baptist,  has 
been  a  widow  for  over  twenty  years 
but  has  the  sweet  hope  and  consola- 
tion that  Jesus  is  her  Husband  and 
that  He  will  be  with  her  in  life  and 
save  her  in  death.  Her  writings  have 
been  a  consolation  and  comfort  to 
many. 


MRS.    M.    I.   GAFFORD. 

Gafford,  Mrs.  M.  I.,  of  Mexia,  Tex., 
was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ala, 
March  7,  1863,  moved  to  Florida  with 
her  mother  when  quite  small,  and  some 
years   later  moved  to   Texas.   She  re- 


ceived a  hope  in  the  Saviour  when 
about  twelve  years  old.  Several  years 
afterward  she  united  with  the  New 
School  or  Missionary  Baptists,  and 
lived  with  them  for  seventeen  years, 
but  becoming  dissatisfied  with  their 
doctrine  and  practice  she  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  about  six  years 
ago  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  T.  J. 
Moore.  Her  experience  from  nature 
to  grace  is  full  and  convincing  and 
her  published  writings  to  the  "Prim- 
itive Baptist,"  and  "The  Baptist 
Trumpet"  have  been  of  great  comfort 
to  many.  She  is  well  grounded  in  the 
doctrine  of  salvation  by  grace  and 
desires  to  live,  and  to  see  others  liv- 
ing, in  such  a  way  as  to  adorn  that 
doctrine,  as  becometh  the  children  of 
light.  The  old  church  is  a  blessed 
home  to  her  and  the  cause  of  truth 
as  contended  for  by  Primitive  Bap- 
tists is  dear  to  her  heart  and  she  feels 
to  say  like  Ruth  of  old:  "Entreat  me 
not  to  leave  thee,  or  to  return  from 
following  after  thee,  for  whither  thou 
goest,  I  will  go;  and  where  thou  lodg- 
est  I  will  lodge:  thy  people  shall  be 
my  people,  and  thy  God  my  God." 


330 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


H 


MRS.   TEMESIA   ANN    HARDY. 

Mardy,  Mrs.  Temesia  Ann  (1822- 
1904),  of  North  Carolina,  was  one  of 
the  most  industrious  and  faithful 
women  of  her  day  and  generation. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  Elder  Parrott 
Mewborn  and  the  oldest  of  a  family 
of  ten  children,  was  convicted  of  sin 
and  killed  to  the  love  of  it  and  the 
fashions  of  the  world,  while  sitting  at 
a  loom  weaving  a  fine  dress  for  her- 
self, and  so  sudden,  deep  and  lasting 
was  the  impression  made  on  her  mind 
that  she  left  her  work  immediately 
took  off  the  ornaments  from  her 
dresses,  and  the  remainder  of  her  life 
plain  and  neat  dresses,  and  a  meek 
and  quiet  spirit  were  her  adornings. 
Being  blessed  of  the  Lord  with  a  good 
hope  through  grace  she  was  baptized 
by  her  father  into  the  fellowship  of 
Bear  Creek  Church  in  the  twenty- 
fourth  year  of  her  age,  and  ever  af- 
terwards proved  her  faith  by  her 
works.  She  was  twice  married,  first 
to  Lemuel  M.  Hardy  and  after  his 
death  to  his  brother  Benj.  G.  Hardy, 
both  deacons  and  clerks  of  the  church 
at  Mewborns;  and,  into  the  duties  of 
her  husbands,  as  deacons,  she  fully 
entered  and  was,  perhaps,  as  much  as 
any  one  of  her  day,  a  spiritual  deacon- 
ess. Her  zeal  was  wonderful,  her  con- 
stitution and  capacity  for  labor  re- 
markable, her  faith  strong  and  un- 
wavering, and  her  feeling  of  unworth- 
iness  and  thankfulness  to  God  for  in- 
numerable blessings  were  constantly 
being   manifested.   As   an   example    of 


her  gratitude  it  is  said  she  did  not 
wish  to  eat  a  meal  without  thanks 
being  returned  to  God  in  a  public 
way,  and  if  no  gentleman  was  present 
to  do  so  she  herself  would.  Sister 
Hardy  was  the  mother  of  five  chil- 
dren— Elder  L.  H.  Hardy  of  Reids- 
ville,  N.  C,  being  one  and  to  whom 
she  was   very  much   attached. 


MRS.  M.   M.   HASSELL. 

Hassell,  Mrs.  M.  M.  This  eminent 
woman  whose  full  maiden  name  was 
Martha  Maria  Worcester,  was  a 
daughter  of  Leonard  and  Rebecca 
Worcester  and  was  born  in  Greenfield, 
New  Hampshire,  July  17,  1815,  and 
died  in  Williamston,  N.  C,  October 
5,  1897.  She  was  twice  married,  first 
to  Elder  Daniel  E.  Jewett  of  New 
York,  who  died  in  1845,  and  four 
years  later  to  Elder  C.  B.  Hassell 
whose  death  occurred  in  1880.  Elder 
Sylvester  Hassell,  the  well-known  his- 
torian and  minister,  was  a  step-son  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  and  gives 
the  following  pen  picture  of  her:  "In 
her  twelfth  year,  mother  experienced 
conviction  for  sin  and  a  hope  of  sal- 
vation through  the  atoning  death  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  she  was 
baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  of  which  she  was  a 
member  more  than  seventy  years; 
and  all  the  days  of  her  long  pilgrim- 
age she  proved  the  reality  of  her  con- 
version, and  adorned  her  Christian 
profession    with    a    most    godly    walk 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL. 


331 


and  conversation.  She  was  blessed  of 
the  Lord  with  a  fine  intellect,  and  with 
the  purest  spirit.  Her  character  was  of 
the  highest  order — it  was  Christ-like. 
She  was  richly  endowed  with  the 
Spirit  of  Christ,  and  manifested,  in  a 
pre-eminent  manner,  the  graces  of 
that  Spirit.  She  loved  the  Lord  and 
His  holy  law  and  precious  gospel,  His 
blessed  Word  and  house  and  ordi- 
nances, and  His  dear  people.  She  had 
a  special  and  tender  sympathy  for 
ministers  of  the  gospel  in  all  their 
labors  and  trials,  both  of  her  hus- 
bands having  been  ministers.  She  had 
a  deep  and  growing  desire  for  the 
gospel  peace  and  union  and  fellowship 
of  all  the  people  of  God.  She  had  an 
extensive  religious  correspondence 
and  many  of  her  humble  and  lovely 
spiritual  letters  were  published  in  our 
periodicals.  She  was  a  true  mother  in 
Israel,  beloved  and  revered  all  over 
the  United  States.  She  spoke  evil  of 
no  one,  and  did  harm  to  none,  but 
wished  to  benefit  every  one.  She  was 
the  most  spiritual-minded  person  I 
ever  knew.  She  lived  in  the  presence 
of  God  and  in  the  light  of  eternity. 
She  surpassed  all  other  human  beings 
of  my  acquaintance  in  the  gift  of 
prayer.  My  dear  father  always  had 
family  prayer  morning  and  night; 
and  once  every  week  he  called  on 
mother  to  lead,  which  she  did  in  the 
most  solemn,  reverent,  and  thrilling 
manner  I  ever  heard — it  was  to  me  a 
heaven  below  to  listen  to  her  humble, 
tender,  and  fervent  voice  ascending  to 
the  throne  of  the  Divine  Majesty. 
And,  after  father's  death,  I  have  often 
heard  her  in  her  lonely  chamber,  at 
the  dead  hours  of  night,  pour  forth 
her  earnest  supplications  to  God  for 
His  mercies  to  herself  and  others.  My 
own  mother,  who  died  when  I  was 
four  years  old,  could  not  have  treated 
me  more  lovingly  and  tenderly.  She 
was  always  a  ministering  angel  to  me 
in  affliction  and  bereavement.  Her 
sympathy  was  active  and  profound; 
her  counsel  was  heavenly.  Her  words 
often  seemed  to  me  as  the  words  of 
God — they  were  in  such  harmony 
with  the  Scriptures  and  the  teachings 
of  the  Divine  Spirit.  My  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  her  for  forty-eight 
years  has  been  one  of  the  very  dear- 
est and  richest  priviliges  of  my  life, 
for  which  I  can  never  feel  thankful 
enough  to  the  Lord;   and  words  seem 


too  poor  to  express  the  painfulness  of 
my  bereavement  in  her  death.  But  it 
is  the  deepest  desire  of  my  heart  to 
say,  'The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord 
hath  taken  away;  blessed  be  the 
name  of  the  Lord.'  " 


MISS   MARY   F.    HYMAN. 

Hyman,  Miss  Mary  F.,  was  the 
daughter  of  Elder  Wm.  Hyman  and 
was  born  in  Edgecombe  County,  N.  C., 
November  15,  1822,  and  died  February 
11,  1908.  When  about  thirty  years  of 
age  she  was  blessed  with  a  good  hope 
in  Jesus  and  united  with  the  church 
at  Cross  Roads,  Edgecombe  County, 
N.  C,  and  was  baptized  by  Elder  Eli 
McCaskey.  Ever  afterwards  she  led  a 
life  consistent  with  the  laws  of  her 
King  and  was  an  active  servant  in 
the  Master's  vineyard.  Going  about 
doing  good,  and  attending  on  the  pub- 
lic service  of  her  church  seemed  her 
chief  delight.  Salvation  by  grace  was 
the  theme  most  dear  to  her  heart,  and 
"How  Firm  a  Foundation  Ye  Saints 
of  the  Lord"  was-  her  favorite  song. 
Kind-hearted  and  industrious,  zealous 
and  faithful,  she  was  indeed  a  "Moth- 
er in  Israel," — an  example  to  others 
worthy  of  emulation.  In  her  last  ill- 
ness she  said,  "I  am  only  waiting  on 
the  Lord  to  take  me  home "  and 
peacefully  fell  asleep. 


332 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


T 


MRS.    M.    J.    LEE. 

Lee,  Mrs.  M.  J.,  of  Elgin,  Ore.,  is 
widely  and  favorably  known  in  Ore- 
gon and  Washington  by  her  efficient 
school  work  in  those  states.  She  be- 
gan teaching  in  the  public  schools  oi 
Oregon  at  the  age  of  fourteen  and 
besides  her  active  work  in  the  school 
room  has  written  to  an  extent  in  lit- 
erature and  in  work  connected  with 
the  progress  of  state  schools.  She  is 
also  well  known  among  Baptists, 
especially  those  residing  on  the  Pa- 
cific coast,  and  like  her  mother — Mrs. 
S.  J.  Cummins  (now  in  her  eighty- 
first  year  of  age) — is  a  frequent  con- 
tributor to  the  columns  of  the  "Signs 
of  the  Times."  Sister  Lee  in  early  life 
lived  near  Salem,  Marion  County, 
Ore.,  where  she  was  accustomed  to 
attend  the  Siloam  Church  where  Eld- 
ers J.  Stipp,  Ezra  Stout  and  other 
able  defenders  of  the  truth  preached 
regularly,  and  at  the  early  age  of 
seven  years  felt  the  weight  of  con- 
demnation for  sin  and  a  desire  for"the 
true  light  that  must  shine  into  the 
benighted  soul  ere  it  can  know  God 
truly  and  worship  Him  in  spirit  and 
in  truth.  Some  years  later  she  was 
given  a  hope  in  the  Saviour  and  found 
a  home  in  the  dear  old  church  where 
she  has  also  found  much  comfort  and 
has  been  a  comfort  to  many  others. 
She  was  in  1882,  married  to  William 
Lucas  Lee  of  Crawfordsville,  Ind., 
whose  death  occurred  in  189S  since 
which  time  she  has  followed  the  pro- 
fession  of   teaching.    One    son    in    col- 


lege and  a  married  daughter  consti- 
tute the  living  members  of  this 
worthy    sister's    family. 


MRS.    SUSAN    H.    LIONBERGER. 

Lionberger,  Mrs.  Susan  H.,  who  on 
March  1,  1909,  died  in  the  full  tri- 
umph of  Uiat  faith  that  had  for  about 
a  half  a  century  been  such  a  consola- 
tion to  her,  had  just  passed  her 
seventieth  mile-post  on  the  road  of 
time  and  had  been  a  member  of 
Hawksbill  Church  of  Old  School  Bap- 
tist faith  for  more  than  thirty-five 
years.  Her  husband,  Samuel  Lionber- 
ger— who  died  about  twenty  years 
ago — was  a  worthy  deacon  of  the 
above  church  and  it  was  their  desire 
and  their  efforts  (which  proved  not 
in  vain)  to  bring  up  their  children 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord  and  to  teach  them,  by  precept 
and  example,  the  way  they  should  go. 
It  was  their  custom  to  take  their 
children  to  church  with  them  and 
their  faithfulness  in  this  was  noted 
by  many.  And  out  of  a  family  of  ten 
children  the  following  eight  united 
with  the  dear  old  church  of  their  pa- 
rents: W.  H.  Lionberger  (a  deacon  of 
Hawksbille  Church)  Mrs.  Lizzie  Var- 
ner,  Mrs.  Annie  Long,  Mrs.  Sadie 
Biedler,  Mrs.  Mattie  Hershberger  (all 
of  Page  County,  Va.),  Mrs.  Ollie  Hite 
and  Mrs.  Allie  Grove  (who  moved 
west  many  years  ago)  and  Mrs.  — ■ — 
Spitler,  deceased.  The  two  other  chil- 
dren, while  not  professors  of  religion, 
are  firm  friends  of  the  church  of  their 
parents,  and  all  are  prominent  and 
highly  esteemed  citizens.  The  memo- 
ry of  their  indulgent,  tender-hearted 
and  faithful  mother  will  ever  be  one  of 
the  sweetest  oasis  in  the  desert  of  life. 


LONG,— SISTERS. 

Mrs.  Sallie  A.  Brubaker, — iMrs. 
Susan  M.  Long,  Mrs.  Barbara  Eliz- 
abeth Brubaker,  and  Mrs.  Mary  Carrie 
Long,  whose  faces  appear  in  the 
above  groupe  in  consecutive  order 
reading  from  from  top — left  to  right — 
are  sisters,  and  daughters  of  the 
late  Phillip  Long,  deacon  in  Mill 
Creek  Church,  near  Luray,  Va.  This 
family  is  a  prominent  one  in  Page 
County  and  prominent  in  the  church 
of  their  honored  father's  membership, 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


333 


and  so  similar  are  the  important 
points  of  interest  in  their  lives  that 
it  is  difficult  to  speak  of  them  sepa- 
rately. All  were  baptized  into  the  fel- 
lowship of  the  same  church  many 
years  ago  and  have  since  lived  con- 
sistent and  faithful  members.  They 
love  the  cause  of  truth  as  maintained 
by  the  Primitive  or  Old  School  Bap- 
tists and  are  liberal  in  their  donations, 
and  unselfish  in  their  hospitality.  The 
editor's  attention  was  called  to  this 
trait  of  hospitality  during  his  first 
visit  to  the  Ebenezer  Association  sev- 
eral years  ago  when  it  was  announced 


to  the  poor,  to  the  ministry  and  for 
the  building  of  church  houses,  etc. 
And  while  all  of  them  are  highly  es- 
teemed for  their  kindness,  and  use- 
fulness in  the  Master's  Kingdom,  Sis- 
ter Elizabeth  (Bettie),  Brubaker  de- 
serves special  mention.  She  has  in- 
deed been  of  great  assistance,  con- 
solation and  comfort  to  scores  of  fam- 
ilies. Possessed  of  a  cheerful  disposi- 
tion as  well  as  a  kind  heart  she  not 
only  "fed  the  hungry  and  clothed  the 
naked"  but  carried  sunshine  into  the 
homes  of  suffering  and  sorrow.  Her 
laithful  saddle-horse  and  the  cheerful, 


1  2 

(Mrs.)  Sallie  A.  Brubaker  (Mrs.)  Susan  M.  Long- 
3  4 

(Mrs.)  Barbara  Elizabeth  Brubaker  (Mrs.)  Mary  Carrie  Long 


on  the  Association  grounds  by  the 
moderator — Elder  J.  R.  Daily,  "that 
Mrs.  Sue  Long  was  prepared  to  sleep 
forty  visitors  at  her  home  and  would 
feed  as  many  as  would  go."  This  was, 
he  thought,  doing  exceedingly  well 
for  a  widow  woman,  and  some  years 
later,  when  some  friends  of  his,  but 
were  expecting  about  forty  delegates 
members  of  a  different  denomination, 
in  town  and  were  meeting  with  dif- 
ficulty in  securing  homes  for  the  vis- 
itors, he  found  pleasure  in  relating 
the  above  evidence  of  "Baptist  hos- 
pitality," in  Old  Virginia.  This  sister 
is  also  noted  for  liberal  contributions 


tender-hearted  and  sympathetic  rider 
is  well  known  in  Page  County,  and 
while  she  is  now  in  her  seventy-third 
year  of  age  and  is  not  able  to  do  the 
work  of  charity  she  once  did  yet  she 
has  lost  none  of  her  interest  in  such 
work,  nor  has  her  love  for  the  cause 
of  truth  grown  cold.  The  influence  of 
such  a  life  can  never  be  told.  All  of 
these  estimable  ladies  are,  and  have 
been  for  many  years,  widows,  except 
Mrs.  Carrie  Long,  whose  husband- 
Isaac  N.  Long,  though  not  a  member 
of  the  church,  is  a  loyal  friend  to  the 
Baptists  and  loves  the  cause  they  rep 
resent. 


334 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


MRS.   MATTIE   LUPER. 

Luper,  Mrs.  Mattie.  This  sister 
whose  home  is  at  Sharpsburg,  N.  C, 
is  the  daughter  of  Levi  and  Martha 
Walston  and  was  born  May  15,  186S. 
Early  in  life  she  was  deeply  convicted 
of  sin  and  for  many  years  labored  un- 


der its  burden,  but  -when  about  six- 
teen years  of  age  was  given  a  sweet 
hope  in  Jesus  and  in  1888  was  bap- 
tized into  the  fellowship  of  Mill 
Branch  Church  by  Elder  B.  C.  Pitt, 
and  has  since  lived  a  life  consistent 
with  the  profession  she  made.  At  the 
age  of  nineteen  she  was  married  to 
Joseph  Calvin  Luper — a  worthy  dea- 
con in  Mill  Branch  Church — with 
whom  she  happily  lived  until  his 
death  in  1900.  Being  bereft  of  a  lov- 
ing husband  and  with  six  small  chil- 
dren to  provide  for  she  was  greatly 
cast  down  and  has  since  spent  many 
lonely  hours,  but  in  all  her  sorrow, 
has  had  the  promise  of  Jesus  to  never 
leave  nor  forsake,  verified  in  her  life. 
He  has  been  a  husband  to  the  widow, 
a  father  to  the  fatherless  and  a 
friend  that  sticketh  closer  than  a 
brother  and  she  feels  she  can  never 
praise  God  enough  for  His  goodness. 
Sister  Luper  is  highly  esteemed  for 
her  faithfulness  and  is  a  gifted  writ- 
er, and  her  published  letters  in  the 
columns  of  "Zion's  Landmark"  have 
been  of  much  comfort  to  many  of 
God's  care-worn  and  sorrow-stricken 
children. 


M 


MRS.    BETTIE     MEDLAN. 


Median,  Mrs.  Bettie,  wife  of  deacon 
A.  B.  Median  of  Graham,  Texas,  has 
not  been  noted  for  her  writings  but 
is  well  known  for  her  active  work  in 
helping  the  poor,  providing  for  the 
expenses  of  the  church,  and  especially 
for  helping  our  needy  ministers  on 
their  way.  To  present  the  minister 
with  a  suit  of  clothes,  to  send  food 
and  clothing  to  the  needy,  and  to  visit 
the  sick  were  matters  of  common  oc- 
currence with  her,  and  labors  of  love 
from  which  she  seemed  to  derive  the 
most  of  life's  pleasure.  Sister  Med- 
ian was  reared  in  East  Tennessee  and 
North  Alabama.  In  early  life  she  was 
married  to  a  Mr.  Willis  and  after  his 
death  moved  to  Texas  where  she  soon 
married,  and  was  ever  afterward,  the 
congenial  and  loyal  companion  of 
Brother    A.    B.    Median. 


MRS.    SUSAN    MOYER. 


Moyer,  Mrs.  Susan,  widow  of  Joseph 
Moyer  who  died  about  ten  years  ago, 
lives  near  Luray,  Va.,  and  is  in  the 
eighty-fourth  year  of  her  age.  For 
over  sixty  years  she  has  been  an  ac- 
tive and  zealous  member  of  the  Old 
School  Baptist  Church,  and  in  her  o!d 
age  has  lost  none  of  her  interest  in, 
and  love  for,  the  cause  of  truth,  and 
attends  the  meetings  of  her  church 
when  not  providentially  hindered.  In 
her  family  of  eight  living  children, 
two — Milton  V.,  and  M.  Lee  Moyer — 
are  deacons  in  the  Mt.  Carmel  Old 
School  Baptist  Church  in  Luray, — one 
other  son  is  a  member  of  tne  same 
church,  and  three  others  are  strong 
believers  in  the  doctrine  of  grace  that 
has  been  so  dearly  loved  by  their  hon- 
ored mother  and  such  a  consolation 
to  her  for  more  than  three  score  years. 
Truly  her  life  of  patience  and  faithful 
service  in  her  sphere  sheds  a  whole- 
some influence  in  the  lives  of  her 
children  and  friends. 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


335 


o 


MRS.  MARY  JANE   (ROSE)    OWINGS 

Owings,  IVlrs.  Mary  Jane  (Rose), 
wife  of  deacon  W.  C.  Owings  of  Cal- 
lao,  'Mo.,  has  been  an  active  worker  in 
the  church  with  her  husband.  She 
united  with  Chariton  Church  in  18G5 
with  her  husband  and  twenty-two  oth- 
ers who  joined  at  this  meeting  which 
continued  more  than  a  week.  Sister 
Owings  has  been  a  frequent  writer  in 
the  columns  of  the  "Messenger  of 
Peace,"  signing  herself  "Mrs.  M.  J. 
Owings,"  but  that  for  which  she  is 
best  known  is  the  active  interest  she 
has  taken  in  the  work  of  the  church. 
When  anything  had  to  be  done  she 
and  her  husband  moved  right  along 
until  it  was  accomplished.  If  the 
church  needed  repairs,  the  grounds 
needed  improving,  etc.,  Sister  Owings 
was  especially  noted  for  gathering 
funds  for  such  purposes.  Nor  did  she 
allow  the  needy  of  the  church  or  the 
ministry  to  go  uncared  for.  Her  life 
was  a  busy  and  useful  one,  yet  hum- 
ble and  unassuming.  Jesus  who  was 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  and  yet 
went  about  doing  good  was  her  ex- 
ample, and  nobly  did  she  follow  Him. 


MRS.    LUCRETIA    A.    OLIVER. 


Oliver,  Mrs.  Lucretia  A.,  of  Ken- 
more,  Va.,  was  born  in  Prince  Wil- 
liam County,  Va.,  January  19,  1846, 
and  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship 
of  Old  Chappawamsic  Church  by 
Elder  Benj.  Lampton  in  18G9,  but  is 
now  a  member  of  Bethel  Church  in 
Fairfax  County,  Va.  Sister  Oliver  is 
the  widow  of  the  late  Louis  A.  Oliver, 
so  well  and  favorably  known  for  his 
zeal  and  love  for  the  cause  of  truth, 
and  is  a  woman  of  wonderful  energy. 
The  mercantile  business  and  the 
farming  interest  of  her  husband  has 


not,  under  her  management,  been  suf- 
fered to  lag,  but  has  been  kept  up  in 
a  business  like  way.  Nor  has  she 
shown  less  love  for,  and  interest  in, 
the  dear  old  church  and  its  kindred 
interests.  The  helping  of  the  deserv- 
ing poor,  the  assisting  of  the  ministry, 


MRS.    LUCRETIA  A.    OLIVER 

the  upbuilding  of  churches,  the  enter- 
taining of  the  household  of  faith  are 
duties  in  which  she  finds  pleasure. 
And  as  an  example  of  her  hospitality 
it  is  said  of  her  that,  some  years  ago 
when  the  entertaining  of  a  coming 
session  of  the  Ketocton  Association 
was  being  discussed  and  seemingly 
considered  a  big  undertaking  she  ex- 
pressed her  desire  that  the  associa- 
tion be  held  at  her  home  church  and 
her  willingness,  if  need  be,  to  assume 
the  entertaining  of  it  herself.  Such 
love  for  the  cause  of  truth  and  unself- 
ish labor  in  the  master's  vineyard  as 
many  of  our  sisters  in  Virginia  and 
other  states  have  manifested  is  worthy 
of  emulation  and  is  highly  appreciated 
by  all  true  Primitive  Baptists. 


MRS.    R.   ANNA   PHILLIPS. 


Phillips,  Mrs.  R.  Anna,  of  Walden, 
Ga.,  was  born  March  27,  1833,  in  Mer- 
iwether County,  Ga.,  where  she  lived 
until  married  September,  1851.  A  short 
time  after  her  marriage  she  united 
with   the    Missionary    or    New    School 


Baptist  Church  with  whom  she  re- 
mained about  eight  years  and  then 
joined  the  Primitive  or  Old  School 
Baptist  Church.  This  was  a  great 
trial  of  her  life  and  about  the  year 
1875  she  wrote  "Her  Experience  and 
Reasons  for  Leaving  the  Missionary 
and  Uniting  With  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist,"   a    very    interesting    book.    The 


336 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


first  edition  of  3,000  copies  were,  in 
a  few  months,  entirely  exhausted.  Af- 
ter much  solicitation,  on  the  part  of 
her  brethren    she  was  induced  to  re- 


MRS.   R.   ANNA   PHILLIPS 


vise  and  enlarge  this  work,  and  it 
was,  in  1901,  published  under  the  title 
of  "Led  By  a  Way  I  Knew  Not."  This 
very    valuable    and    instructive    book 


can  be  had  by  ordering  from  the  au- 
thor, at  Wialden,  Ga.  Sister  Phillips, 
for  many  years,  was  corresponding 
editress  of  "Zion's  Landmark,"  pub- 
lished by  Elder  P.  D.  Gold,  at  Wilson, 
N.  C.  She  is  well  and  favorably  known 
in  the  United  States,  as  a  deep,  in- 
structive, spiritual  writer,  and  those 
who  know  her  best  love  her  most. 
Truly  she  is  a  teacher  sent  of  the 
Lord.  One  well  acquainted  with  this 
gifted  sisters  writes  of  her  as  follows: 
"Physically,  she  is  failing  and  must 
soon  pass  to  her  reward,  as  she  is 
now  in  her  seventy-fifth  year;  mes- 
tally,  She  is  as  bright  and  interesting 
as  in  her  young  life;  spiritually,  she 
is  one  of  God's  beautiful  gifts  to  .bis, 
humble  poor;  personally,  she  is  plain 
and  unassuming  in  dress  and  man- 
ners, and  brethren  and  sisters  who 
have  read  her  writings  and  feel  that 
they  would  be  embarrassed  to  meet 
her,  wil1.  find  the  reverse  is  true,  and 
that,  instead,  they  are  charmed  and 
at  ease  in  her  presence.  In  her  early 
life,  fortune  smiled  upon  her  to  that 
extent  that  she  did  not  want  for  any 
of  the  things  that  money  could  buy; 
but  in  this,  the  late  evening  of  her 
life,  she  is  bereft  of  husband  and 
property,  but  still  possesses  the  love 
of  the  Lord  and  his  people. 


R 


MRS.    S.    E.    REDDICK. 

Reddick,  Mrs.  S.  E.,  of  Knightstown, 
Ind.,  was  born  in  Raysville,  Ind.,  May 
2,  1842;  married  in  her  twenty-third 
year  of  age,  and  three  months  later 
united  with  the  M.  E.  Church.  Soon 
she  became  much  interested  in  the 
study  of  God's  word.  New  light  seem- 
ed to  dawn  upon  its  pages  unsealing 


to  her  many  of  its  hidden  mysteries, 
and  revealing  unto  her  that  salvation 
was  of  the  Lord.  She  was  made  to 
feel,  that  in  her,  dwelt  no  good  thing, 
and  that  unless  God  undertook  her 
case  she  must  forever  perish.  She 
could  no  longer  trust  in  a  conditional 
plan  of  salvation,  and  therefore  felt 
she  could  not  conscientiously  remain 
in  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  after  fifteen 
years  with  this  people,  united  with 
the  Primitive  Baptists  at  Blue  River 
Church  in  Rush  County,  Ind.,  and  was 
baptized  by  Elder  Samuel  Narlan.  To- 
leave  her  dear  husband's  church  and 
her  many  friends  therein  was  indeed 
a  trial  of  her  faith,  but  God  was  with 
her  through  it  all  and  has  given  her 
many  sweet  seasons  of  rejoicing  and 
a  conscience  void  of  offense  toward 
God  and  man  as  she  humbly  tried  to 
follow  in  the  Master's  footsteps.  Sis- 
ter Reddick  is  one  of  our  most  gifted 
and  spiritually  minded  Baptists  and' 
her  writings,  as  published  in  our  re- 
ligious papers,  have  been  of  much 
comfort  and  instruction  to  many  of 
God's  humble  poor.  She  loves  the  dear 
old  church,  its  comforting  doctrine — ■ 
its  simple  practice  and  labors  for  its 
peace  and  prosperity. 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL. 


337 


MRS.    CAROLINE    SAWIN. 


Sawin,  Mrs.  Caroline.  This  precious 
sister,  fell  asleep  October  19,  1905,  in 
the  ninety-seventh  year  of  her  age, 
at  the  home  of  her  son— Elder  P.  W. 
Sawin,  Shelbyville,  Ky.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Longstreet  and  Charity 
Harvey;  was  born  in  Seneca  County, 
N.  Y. ;  married  to  James  H.  Sawin 
1826,  with  whom  she  lived  happily  un- 
til his  death  in  1872,  a  period  of  forty- 
six  years,^-was  the  mother  of  thir- 
teen children — ten  living  to  the  age 
of  maturity  and  all  uniting  with  the 
Old  School  .  Baptist  Church — the 
church  she  and  her  husband  united 
with  in  1830.  She  also  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  seeing  three  of  her  boys — viz: 
Elders  Isaac  Sawin  of  Iowa,;  J.  G.  Sa- 
win, of  Illinois,  and  P.  Wj.  Sawin  o? 
Kentucky, — ordained  as  ministers  of 
the  gospel  and  serving  churches  of 
the  Old  School  Baptist  order.  Hers 
was  as  eventful  life,  frought  with 
many  changing  events  during  her 
ninety-seven  years  of  earthly  pilgrim- 
age. Few  homes  in  Indiana,  if  any, 
entertained  more  of  the  household  of 
faith  than  hers.  Elders  Wilson  Thomp- 
son, J.  P.  Johnson,  Benj.  Jones  Mc- 
Querry,  and  many  other  ministers 
were  accustomed  to  preach  in  the  Sa- 
win home  where  large  congregations 
assembled,  and  it  was  a  pleasure  to 
her  to  be  at  the  feet  of  her  brethren. 
Hers  was  a  service  of  love,  because 
her  faith  was  not  a  vain  one,  nor  her 
profession  false.  She  had  the  sweet 
assurance  of  a  living  faith  that 
strengthened  her  for  the  conflict  of 
life  and  enabled  her  to  meet  death 
fearlessly.  In  her  old  age  she  often 
spoke  of  the  weariness  of  the  body, 
but  never  murmured  nor  complained, 
desiring  to  depart,  and  be  at  rest, 
yet  willing  to  wait  the  Lord's  time. 
Her's  was  a  useful,  consecrated  and 
faithful  life. 


MRS.    SUSIE    SMUCK. 


Smuck,  Mrs.  Susie,  is  a  faithful 
member  of  Brock's  Gap  Church,  Rock- 
ingham County,  Va.  From  early  child- 
hood she  had  serious  impressions  in 
regard  to  her  future  welfare,  but 
these  impressions  were  of  short  dura- 
tion, only  lasting  long  enough  to  in- 
cite to  promises  soon  to  be  forgotten. 
But   when   about   twenty-six   years    of 


age  she  was  deeply  convicted  of  sin, 
led  about  and  instructed  by  the 
Spirit's  teaching,  given  a  hope  in  the 
Saviour,  a  love  for  the  doctrine  of 
grace  and  for  the  Old  School  Baptist, 
united  with  them  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  J.  H.  Menefee.  Though  in 
age  she  is  nearly  three  score  years 
and  ten,  yet  her  love  fior  the  church 
has  not  grown  cold  nor  has  she  lost 
her  interest  in  her  labors  of  love  in 
the  Master's  vineyard.  Strong  in  the 
faith  and  well  established  in  the  doc- 
trine of  grace  she  is  patiently  await- 
ing the  Master's  call  and  desires  to 
be  found  faithful  when  that  sum- 
mons comes,  and  is  depending,  for  sal- 
vation, upon  the  promises  of  grace 
contained  in  the  Bible — which  book 
she  has  read  through  about  twenty- 
six  times. 


MRS.    MAGGIE    STEGALL. 


Stegall,  Mrs.  Maggie,  of  Crawley, 
Texas,  an  interesting  writer  and  an 
occasional  correspondent  to  the  col- 
umns of  our  religious  papers  is  a 
daughter  of  A.  J.  and  M.  J.  McWhis- 
ter  and  was  born  March  2,  1S72.  Early 
in  life  she  became  troubled  about  her 
condition  as  a  sinner  which  was  a 
continual  burden  until  about  the  age 
of  twenty-one  when  Jesus  was  re- 
vealed to  her  as  the  chiefest  among 
ten  thousand  a,nd  One  altogether  love- 
ly. But  for  a  long  time  she  could  not 
claim  this  as  a  hope  and  qualifica- 
tion for  membership  into  the  church, 
and  therefore  waited  for  more  evi- 
dence and  a  brighter  experience, 
which  never  came,  and  when  she  did 
unite  with  Antioch  Church,  Hunt 
County,  Texas,  in  1895,  she  was  made 
to  depend  upon  her  same  little  hope. 
This  one  truth  she  fully  realized, 
however,  that,  whereas  she  was  once 
blind  she  now  could  see.  She  was  bap- 
tized by  Elder  J.  W  Herriage  and  is 
now  a  member  of  the  church  in  Fort 
Worth,  Texas,  and  is  highly  esteemed 
for  her  many  Christian  qualities. 


MRS.    LOUISA    PRICE   STOUT. 

Stout,  Mrs.  Louisa  Price.  This  much 
beloved  and  well  known  Baptist  was 
born  near  Richmond,  Ky.,  August  9, 
1825,  and  died  August  19,  1903,  in  the 
seventy-eighth    year   of   her    age.    She 


338 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


was  the  wife  of  deacon  Philemon 
Stout,  and  their  home  in  Sangamon 
County,  111.,  was  known  far  and  near 
for  its  generous  hospitality  and  kind- 
ly Christian  spirit.  In  her  last  days 
Sister  Stout  was  a  great  sufferer  but 
bore  her  trials  with  remarkable  Chris- 
tian fortitude.  On  the  Rock  of  Ages 
she  was  firmly  planted.  Her  faith  was 
of  that  inflexible  and  unwavering  kind 
that  has  always  been  a  boon  to  suf- 
fering Christian  martyrs.  It  was  her 
strong  tower,  and  no  influence  could 
shake  it.  As  her  sufferings  increased 
the  more  intense  her  faith  became, 
bringing  with  it  a  constant  desire  to 
depart  and  be  with  Christ,  which  was 
far  better.  This  faith  she  had  rejoiced 
in  and  professed  some  fifty  years 
before  her  death  when  she  offered 
herself  to  Bethel  Church,  in  Menard 
County,  was  received  and  baptized 
by  the  late  Elder  William  Crow.  After 
her  marriage  she  moved  her  mem- 
bership to  Salem,  Sugar  Creek 
Church,  where  she  lived  an  exemplary 
Christian  life,  and  became  in  the 
truest  sense  one  of  the  mothers  in 
Israel,  always  filling  her  seat  in  the 
assembly  of  the  saints  except  for 
truly  providential  reasons.  She  was 
ardent  in  her  devotion  to  the  doctrine 
of  grace  as  held  and  preached  by  the 
Old  School  Baptists.  No  modern  ism 
found  lodgment  in  her  soul.  Hypoc- 
risy she  could  not  endure,  and  any- 
thing that  possessed  even  a  sugges- 
tion of  self-laudation,  was  despicable 
in  her  sight;  she  claimed  no  honor  for 
self.  In  herself  she  saw  no  good.  Hum- 
bleness and  meekness  was  ever  con- 
spicuous in  her  walk  and  conversa- 
tion. Previous  to  her  death,  which 
she  knew  was  near  at  hand,  she,  in  a 
calm  and  undisturbed  manner,  ex- 
pressed her  wishes  to  the  family  who 
were  gathered  around  her  bed.  One 
wish  was  that  the  minister  or  minis- 
ters who  should  officiate  at  her  fu- 
neral would  refrain  from  any  effusive 
neral  would  refrain  from  any  effusive 
past  life.  Her  life  had  been  an  open 
book,  and  was  before  the  people. 


MRS.   BETTIE  C.   STRICKLER. 

Strickler,  Mrs.  Bettie  C,  of  Hutchin- 
son Kan.  This  sister,  who  many  years 
ago  united  with  Alma  Church  while  a 
resident  of  Page  County,  Va.,  has 
never  in  her  far-off  home  forgotten  the 
spiritual  kindred  left  behind.  The 
spot  is  ever  dear  to  her  because  of 
the  sweet  doctrine  of  grace  there  pro- 
claimed and  the  simple  spiritual  wor- 
ship    maintained     within     her     walls. 


Many  years  ago  she  was  firmly  planted 
on  the  Rock  of  Ages  and  though  widely 
separated  from  the  household  of  faith 
and  rarely  favored  to  hear  the  procla- 
mation of  the  gospel  dear  to  her  heart 
yet  her  faith  is  inflexible  and  unwav- 
ering. Jesus  is  with  her.  His  prom- 
ises to  never  leave  nor  forsake  her 
have  been  verified  and  as  she  realizes 
the  goodness  of  God  to  her  and  reads 
in  the  Bible,  of  His  dealings  with  His 
people  in  ages  gone  by,  and  in  her  re- 
ligious papers  of  His  continued  bless- 
ings to  them,  she  is  made  to  rejoice  in 
spirit  and  to  praise  His  matchless 
name.  Her  faith  is  strong,  her  love 
for  her  church  manifest,  her  profes- 
sional life  a  consistent  one  and  her 
daily  walk  and  conversation  such  as 
to  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Sav- 


MRS.     CATHARINE     CARPENTER 
SWARTOUT. 

Swartout,  Mrs.  Catharine  Carpen- 
ter, of  Cement  City,  Mich.,  familiarly 
known  among  the  readers  of  many  of 
our  religious  papers  as  "Kate  Swart- 
out," was  born  in  Michigan,  March 
13,  1841,  heard  her  first  gospel  ser- 
mon at  the  age  of  seventeen,  marrieu 
at  twenty-one,  and  united  with  the 
church  at  the  age  of  thirty-six.  From 
her  earliest  youth  she  manifested  a 
thirst  for  knowledge.  At  the  age  of  Fix 
could  read  the  newspapers  and  re- 
cite long  poems,  was  apt  in  school 
and  a  great  reader  at  home.  Of  this 
period  of  her  life  she  writes:  "I  had 
read  everything  I  could  get  except 
father's  hymn-book  and  his  religious 
paper.  So  I  tried  them  but  could  sec 
but  little  in  them.  The  hymns  would 
not  carry  out  my  voice  and  make  it 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


339 


sound  so  grandly  as  the  stirring 
pieces  I  had  learned.  I  write  this  be- 
cause I  little  thought  at  that  time 
that  out  publications  and  the  oldest 
hymns  would  be  so  sweet  and  sacred 
as  they  have  been  to  me."  Sister 
Swartout  is  one  of  our  most  spiritual 
writers  as  those  who  have  followed 
her  pen  well  know.  Speaking  of  how 
she  began  writing  for  publication  she 
says:  "I  had  been  requested  to  write 
my  religious  exercise  in  private  cor- 
respondence which  I  did,  and  by  re- 
quest it  was  published  in  "The  Signs 
of  the  Times"  before  I  was  baptized, 
and  from  that  I  was  encouraged  to 
write  more,  and  other  editors  sent 
me  papers  asking  me  to  write  for 
them,  and  so  through  all  these  years 
I  have  been  trying  to  tell  the  deal- 
ings of  the  Lord  with  the  poorest  and 
feeblest  of  all  the  flock.  My  letters 
have  always  seemed  to  reach  the 
'afflicted  and  poor,'  and  after  my  high 


imaginations  have  been  cast  down 
and  all  my  worldly  aspirations  and 
prospects  laid  low,  I  have  come  to 
feel  I  had  rather  be  of  some  little 
comfort  to  one  of  the  least  of  those 
whom  the  Master  calls  'brethren'  than 
to  please  all  the  great,  the  rich  and 
proud  of  this  world.' "  Though  for 
many  years  she  has  been  so  afflicted 
with  inflammatory  rheumatism  that 
she  cannot  attend  her  meetings  yet 
her  love  for  the  dear  Master,  His 
truth  and  His  people  has  never  grown 
cold  and  in  her  affliction  she  has 
proven  the  faithfulness  of  God's  prom- 
ises to  be  with  her  even  down  to 
old  age.  She  and  her  husband  are 
lovingly  and  peacefully  walking  the 
uneven  road  of  life,  and  having  no 
children,  are  like  children  to  each 
other  in  their  tenderness  and  affec- 
tion, and  both  patiently  waiting  for 
the  summons,  "child,  your  Father 
calls,   come   home." 


w 


MRS.  SUSAN  WALLACE. 

Wallace,  Mrs.  Susan.  This  worthy 
sister's  writings  in  the  columns  of  the 
Baptist  Trumpet  have  been  a  comfort 
to  many  of  God's  humble  poor.  Her 
home  is  at  Itasca,  Texas.  Her  parents 
were  Jeptha  and  Isabel  Dean.  She 
was  born  in  Alabama,  September  28, 
1863.  Convicted  of  sin  when  about 
fifteen  years  of  age,  united  with  the 
Old  School  Baptists  four  years  later 
and  has  since  lived  a  life  consistent 
with  her  profession.  And  while  she 
deeply  feels  her  unworthiness  to  live 
in  the  dear  church  of  Jesus,  yet  she 
earnestly  desires  a  home  there  the  re- 


maining days  of  her  pilgrimage  and 
like  Ruth,  feels  in  her  heart  to  say, 
"Intreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,"  etc. 
She  is  well  established  in  the  doctrine 
of  grace  and  fully  satisfied  with  the 
order  of  God's  house.  Through  much 
afflicted  for  the  past  eight  years  yet 
she  is  resigned  to  the  providential 
dealings  of  God  and  desires  to  run 
with  patience  the  race  of  life  and  be 
found  faithful  until  the  end. 


MRS 


WILLIFORD. 


Williford,  Mrs.  M.  B.,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Drucilla  Whitley,  is  the  wife 
of  Elder  Williford  of  Rock  Mount,  N. 


3-40 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


C.  She  united  with.  Pleasant  Hill 
Church  when  about  thirty  years  of  age 
and  has  indeed  been  blessed  with  many 
marks  of  the  child  of  God.  Some  time 
before  taking  up  the  Cross  in  a  pub- 
lic maner  she  was  dreadfully  burned 
by  the  explosion  of  a  lamp  which  set 
her  clothing  on  fire  and  before  they 
could  be  extinguished  she  was  so  deep- 
ly burned  that  her  arm  had  to  be  am- 
putated and  her  life  was  despaired  of. 
And  through  it  all  she  was  one  of  the 
greatest  yet  most  patient  sufferers. 
And  being  a  woman  of  wonderful  en- 
ergy she  has  since  her  recovery,  led 
an  active  and  useful  life,  attending  her 
household  duties  and  doing  much  of 
the  sewing  for  her  family  with  but 
one  hand.  Sister  Williford  is  also  noted 
for  her  faithfulness  to  the  cause  of 
truth,  sympathetic  nature  and  for  her 
deeds  of  charity.  The  doctrine  of  Sal- 
vation by  grace  is  the  theme  of  her 
soul  and  she  is  indeed  well  qualified 
for  the  position  of  a  minister's  wife. 


MRS.   MARY  J.  WROE. 

Wroe,  Mrs.  Mary  J.,  a  daughter  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  S.  Weedon,  was 
born  in  Prince  William  County,  Va., 
in  May,  1830,  and  quite  early  in  life 
was  married  to  Mr.  A.  D.  Wroe  who 
died  in  1882.  Like  many  other  famil- 
ies in  the  "Old  Dominion"  who  lived 
on  the  border  line  of  the  Confederacy 
and  the  "battle  ground  of  the  war," 
the  beginning  of  this  cruel  struggle 
found  them  with  a  competency  and 
left  them  almost  penniless.  But  al- 
though this  dear  sister  was  called  upon 
to  give  up  home,  and  husband  and  five 
out  of  seven  children  yet  she  feels  re- 
signed to  providential  dealings  and 
finds  daily  many  evidences  of  God's 
love  and  care  for  which  she  can  never 
be  thankful  enough.  Early  in  youth 
she  felt  the  need  of  a  Saviour  and 
some  years  later  was  made  to  feel  that 
she  was  "without  hope  and  without 
God  in  the  world."  But  He  who  brought 
her  in  this  condition  did  not  leave  her 
there,  (as  he  never  does  the  truly  con- 
victed sinner),  but  gave  her  a  sweet 
hope  in  the  dear  Saviour  and  a  love 
for  His  church  and  people.  This  love 
she  publicly  confessed  in  1867  and  was 
baptized  by  the  late  Elder  John  Clark, 
since  which  time  Sister  Wroe  has 
adorned  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Sav- 
iour with  a  godly  walk  and  conversa- 
tion. Though  she  has  for  many  years 
made  her  home  at  Springfield,  S.  C. 
with  her  loyal  and  affectionate  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Mims,  and  her  husband,  and 
rarely  has  an  opportunity  of  hearing 
the   Primitive  or   Old   School   Baptist 


ministers  preach;  yet  she  makes  no 
compromise  with  error,  is  well 
grounded  in  the  doctrine  of  grace  and 
faithful  in  the  cause  of  her  Master, 
and  though  nearly  four  score  years 
old  is  bright,  active  and  cheerful  for 
her  advanced  age. 


MRS.    BETTIE    Z.    WHITLEY. 

Whitley,  Mrs.  Bettie  Z.  The  name 
of  this  sister  is  familiar  to  readers  of 
the  "Gospel  Messenger,"  "Zion's 
Landmark,"  Primitive  Monitor"  and 
other  of  our  papers.  Her  home  is  in 
Washington,  N.  C.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  Kenneth  Thigpen  and  Annie  L. 
Lane  and  was  born  August  30,  1857. 
Her  parents  died  when  she  was  a 
child  which  made  a  deep  impression 
on  her  tender  mind.  About  the  age 
of  sixteen  years  she  was  killed  to 
the  love  of  sin  but  it  was  two  years 
before  Jesus,  the  sin-bearer  of  His 
people,  relieved  her  of  its  burden. 
Having  brought  her  to  the  Red  Sea, 
experimentally,  she  was  made  to 
stand  still  and  see  the  salvation  of 
the  Lord  ere  she  was  permitted  to 
pass  over  dry  shod.  She  united  with 
the  church  in  1885  and  has  since  been 
an  active,  zealous  and  warm-hearted 
member,  showing  her  faith  by  her 
works  and  manifesting  love  for  the 
cause  of  truth  by  a  faithful  attend- 
ance upon  the  public  worship  of  the 
church  and  a  life  consistent  with  her 
profession.  Sister  Whitley  was,  in 
1875,  married  to  Mr.  W.  B.  Whitley, 
which  union  has  been  blessed  with 
eleven  children.  Her  writings  are 
noted  for  experimental  tracing  of  the 
Lord's  dealing  with  His  people  and 
many  are  the  pilgrims  who  have,  by 
them,  been  comforted  and  encouraged 
on  their  journey. 


TALENTED    SISTERS    AND    "MOTHERS    IN    ISRAEL." 


341 


Y 


MRS.  REBECCA  JANE  YORK. 


York,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Jane  (1829- 
1895)  the  beloved  wife  of  Deacon 
David  M.  York  of  Meriweather  Coun- 
ty, Ga.,  was  among  the  great  and 
good  women  who  have  passed  away 
into  a  better  existence.  Possibly  none 
have  ever  excelled  our  deceased  sis- 
ter in  point  of  moral  worth,  integrity 


of  heart,  and  almost  unceasing  devo- 
tion to  the  principle  of  righteousness. 
She  was  a  model  woman,  a  loving 
wife,  a  kind  and  tender  mother,  a 
good  neighbor,  but  best  of  all  she 
spent  a  long  life  in  the  vineyard  of 
the  blessed  Master.  What  a  beautiful 
life  was  hers!  and  what  a  triumphant 
death,  falling  sweetly  asleep  in  the 
arms  of  Him  who  loved  her,  and  gave 
Himself  for  her. 


342 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


APPENDIX 


(List  of  Subjects) 


The  Bible 


The  Bible  contains  66  books — 1,189 
chapters — 31,114  verses  The  name 
Lord  is  found  6,062  times  in  the  Old 
Testament.  The  name  God,  2,725  times. 
The  name  Jesus  occurs  925  times,  in 
the  New  Testament,  and  the  name 
Christ,  555  times.  The  word  Selah,  is 
found  74  times  in  the  Bible.  The  word 
Eternity,  in  only  one  place. 

There  are  in  the  Old  Testament 
607,207  words:  in  the  New  Testament, 
179,476;  which  numbers,  added  togeth- 
er, make  786,683.  In  this  enumeration 
the  titles  of  books  and  contents  of 
chapters  are  excluded.  The  head-pieces, 
however,  prefixed  to  115  of  the  Psalms, 
and  the  22  words  in  the  119th  Psalm, 
are  included.  The  number  was  found 
out  by  counting  one  by  one,  pointing 
every  100,  and  then  adding  up:  which 
countings  employed  me  130  hours,  and 
yet,  after  all  the  pains  and  care  taken, 
some  mistakes  have  been  made;  but  it 
is  believed  but  small. 

The  Bible  seems  to  be  self-divided 
into  six  parts,  viz: 

1.  The  Law  of  Moses  beginning 
with  Genesis,  and  ending  with  Deuter- 
onomy; it  contains  5  books,  187  chap- 
ters, 5,853  verses,  155,767  words. 

2.  The  History  of  the  Jews,  begin- 
ginning  with  Joshua,  and  ending  with 
Esther,  containing  12  books,  249  chap- 
ters, 7024  verses,  203,303  words. 

3.  A  Book  of  Poems,  beginning  with 
Job  and  ending  with  Solomon's  songs, 
including  5  books,  243  chapters,  4,794 
verses,  84,358  words. 

4.  The  Prophecies  of  Sixteen  Pro- 
phets, beginning  with  Isaiah  and  end- 
ing with  Malachi,  containing,  17  books, 
250  chapters,  5491  verses,  163,780 
words. 

5.  The  Evangelical  Part,  containing 
the  history  of  Christ  and  the  Apostles, 
embracing  5  books,  117  chapters, 
4785  verses,  107,093  words. 

6.  The  Epistolary  Writings  of  Paul, 
Peter,  James,  Jude  and  John,  together 
with  the  book  of  Revelations,  compris- 
ing 22  books,  143  chapters,  3171  verses, 
72,383  words.  A  total  of  66  books,  1189 
chapters,  31,118  verses,  786,683  words. 


The  middle  chapter  in  the  Bible  is 
the  117th  Psalm.  The  middle  of  the 
verses  is  between  the  102nd  and  103rd 
Psalms.  The  middle  word  is  in  the 
60th  Psalm,  the  4th  verse:  "To  them 
that  fear  thee." 

The  double  asservation,  verily,  ver- 
ily, is  found  twenty-five  times  in  John's 
gospel,  and  no  where  else.  The  words 
Lord,  God,  are  not  found  in  Esther,  nor 
Solomon's  song;  so,  likewise.,  the 
names,  Jesus,  Christ  are  not  in  the 
third  epistle  of  John.  The  word  bap- 
tism, with  its  relatives,  is  found  one 
hundred  times  in  the  New  Testament. 

The  Bible  was  more  than  sixteen 
hundred  years  in  writing.  It  contains 
a  history  of  the  worlds  whole  age; 
partly  in  narrative,  and  partly  in  pro- 
phecy; yea,  more,  it  assures  us  of  some 
things  which  took  place  before  the 
mountains  were  made,  or  the  hills 
brought  forth:  it  also  reveals  unto  us 
many  things  that  will  take  place  after 
the  world,  and  all  its  works  are  burnt 
up;  and  yet  the  whole  of  it  can  be  read 
over  in  sixty  hours.  It  is  written  in  a 
style  that  no  man  on  earth  can  imitate; 
which  will  forever  keep  it  from  being 
incorporated  with  human  composition. 

The  Bible  is  in  its  parts,  historical, 
poetical  allegorical,  prophetic,  recep- 
tive and  promissory.  It  claims  the 
merit  of  being  a  revelation  from  God 
unto  man.  Of  revelation,  there  are 
two  kinds;  oral,  and  written. 

Oral  revelation  was  first.  In  this, 
God  revealed  his  will  unto  men;  but 
as  letters  were  not  in  use,  men  had  no 
way  of  preserving  those  revelations, 
but  by  their  memories;  these  records 
were  so  treacherous,  that  the  revela- 
tions were  greatly  mutilated  and  per- 
verted. It  is  from  this  source,  how- 
ever, that  those  nations,  who  are  desti- 
tute of  written  revelation,  got  their  be- 
lief of  the  future  existence  of  depart- 
ed souls;  for  I  can  see  nothing  in  all 
the  pages  of  nature,  that  proves  that 
men  have  immortal  souls,  but  what 
equally  proves  the  same  of  beasts. 

Whether  the  use  of  letters  was 
taught  at  once,  or  whether  the  science 
was    gradual,    the    result    is    equally 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


343 


amazing;  that  with  twenty-six  letters, 
all  the  thoughts  of  the  human  heart 
can  be  expressed.  After  letters  came 
in  use,  the  Almighty  directed  the 
hands  of  men  to  write  down  those  reve- 
lations of  his    will,    which    he    made 


known  unto  them;  and  such  writings 
are  called  written  revelations.  These 
writings,  collected  together  in  one 
book,  form  the  Bible,  or  Holy  Scrip- 
ture. 

ELDER  JOHN  LELAND. 


The  Full  and  Divine  Inspiration  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testament  Scriptures 


It  is  estimated  that  there  are  now 
in  the  world  four  hundred  million 
copies  of  the  Bible — enough  to  fur- 
nish every  human  family  with  a  copy; 
that  these  Bibles  are  in  nearly  four 
hundred  languages,  the  tongues  of 
nine-tenths  of  the  human  race;  and 
that  two  hundred  thousand  different 
books  have  been  written  for  the  pur- 
pose of  defending,  expounding,  and 
illustrating  the  Holy  Scriptures.  Noth- 
ing short  of  an  infinity  of  wisdom  and 
an  eternity  of  time  could  worthily  set 
forth  and  demonstrate  the  divine  in- 
spiration of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ment Scriptures;  but  I  will  try  to 
compress  in  the  briefest  possible 
space  the  fresh  reflections  with 
which,  I  hope,  the  Lord  has  favored 
me  on  this  most  important  subject. 
I  will  give  Twelve  Infallible  Proofs 
of  the  Divine  Inspiration  of  the  Scrip- 
tures— the  first  Six  being  addressed 
to  the  reason,  and  capable  of  being 
understood  by  all  men,  and  the  last 
Six  being  addressed  to  the  heart,  and 
capable  of  being  spiritually  appreciat- 
ed only  by  the  children  of  God;  and 
in  each  group  of  six  the  first  Three 
Proofs  are  of  an  indirect,  and  the 
last  Three  of  a  direct,  character — 
the  connection  between  the  members 
of  the  same  sub-group  of  three  being 
indicated  by  the  use  of  the  same  itali- 
cized adjective  or  phrase  at  the  be- 
ginning  of  each    paragraph. 

1.  The  utter  darkness  of  all  hu- 
man minds,  both  ancient  and  modern, 
in  regard  to  spiritual  and  eternal 
realities,  the  origin,  the  government, 
and  the  destiny  of  the  human  race, 
unless  those  minds  have  been  illumi- 
nated by  the  truths  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures.  The  wisest  natural  men 
only  guess  and  dream  and  hope  and 
hfear  in  regard  to  the  insoluble  prob- 
lem of  human  life — what  preceded 
and  what  will  succeed  the  brief  period 
of  present  human  existence;  and  the 
awful  question  grows  darker  the 
nearer  they  approach  the  grave,  and 
beyond  its  gloomy  portals  they  see 
in  the  dying  hour  nothing  but  the 
blackness    of   darkness    forever.    It    is 


now  apparent  that  all  true  light  on 
these  momentous  subjects  appearing 
in  the  literature  of  the  ancient  heath- 
en world,  whether  of  Rome,  or 
Greece,  or  Egypt,  or  Babylonia,  or 
Persia,  or  India,  or  China,  was  de- 
rived from  the  divine  revelations  in 
the    Old   Testament   Scriptures. 

2.  The  utter  falsity  of  all  the  theo- 
ries of  so-called  philosophers,  scien- 
tists, and  critics,  invented  to  dis- 
credit the  statements  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures.  There  have  been  thou- 
sands of  such  theories,  but,  like  the 
Midianitish  enemies  of  Israel,  they 
have,  in  the  wise  and  righetous  prov- 
idence of  God,  slain  each  other;  and 
today  the  discordant  infidel  specula- 
tions of  the  enemies  of  truth  form  a 
perfect  Babel,  their  tongues  being 
confounded  tjy  the  High  and  Holy 
One  that  intiabiteth  eternity.  "Proud, 
positive,  dogmatizing,  they  pretend  to 
know  everything,  but  prove  nothing, 
and  ridicule  each  other — every  one  of 
them  preferring  his  own  error  to  the 
truth  discovered  by  another.  They 
would  fain  palm  upon  us  the  unintel- 
ligible systems  that  they  have  erect- 
ed in  their  own  heads,  while  they 
trample  under  foot  all  that  the  wisest 
and  best  men  revere."  According  to 
the  most  eminent  living  professors  of 
the  sciences  of  astronomy,  geology, 
chemistry,  botany  zoology,  physiology, 
archaeology,  ethnology  and  philology, 
all  the  discoveries  of  those  sciences 
confirm  and  illustrate  the  wonderful 
truths  of  the  Holy  Scriptures — the 
Mosaic  record  of  creation,  in  the  ex- 
act order  therein  detailed;  chaos, 
light,  the  individualization  of  the 
earth,  the  separation  of  the  water 
from  the  land,  the  vegetable  king- 
dom, the  clear  shining  of  the  heaven- 
ly bodies,  fish,  reptiles,  birds,  mam- 
mals, and,  last  of  all,  man,  for  whom 
the  world  was  made;  the  first  appear- 
ance of  man  on  earth  within  less  than 
ten  thousand  years  ago;  the  deriva- 
tion of  the  human  race  from  one  pair; 
their  primitive  innocence  and  subse- 
quent fall  and  degeneration,  attended 
by  a  deterioration  of  climate  and  an 


344 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


irruption   of  thistles   and   weeds;    the 
high  intellectuality  and  longevity  and 
rapidly   advancing   civilization   of   the 
antediluvians;    their    professed    belief 
in  God  and  immortality;   the  Sethites 
and  the  Cainites,    and    the    Nephilim 
or  Giants   (their  skeletons  from  seven 
to  ten  feet  long),  the  descendants  of 
the    intermarried    Sethites    and    Cain- 
ites;  the  increasing  corruption  of  the 
race;  the  deluge  that  swept  them  all 
away,    except    one    righteous    family; 
the  repeopling  of  the  earth  from  that 
family,  the  confusion  of  tongues  and 
the  dispersion  of  the  nations;  and  the 
leading  facts  in  the  lives  of  the  patri- 
archs and  in  the  history  of  the  Israel- 
ites, as  recorded     in  the     Old  Testa- 
ment, and  in  the  lives  of  Christ  and 
His    apostles,    and    in    the    history    of 
the   Christian   Church   as   recorded    in 
the  New   Testament.   More  than   two 
thousand  mistakes  have  been  proved 
to   be   in   the   writiDgs    of    Herodotus, 
"the  Father  of  Profane  History,"  but 
not    one      single    mistake      has    been 
proved  to  be  in  the  writings  of  Moses 
or  the  other  inspired   authors   of  the 
Holy    Scriptures.    The   few    slight    ap- 
parent  discrepancies    and    errors,    pa- 
raded  and  magnified  by  the  so-called 
"higher    critics"    who    occupy    profes- 
sorships in  the  theological  seminaries 
of  Europe  and  America  were  satisfac- 
torily   explained    to    men    of    common 
sense  and  common  honesty  hundreds 
of   years   ago.   The   wild,   vague,    pre- 
tentious ignorant  speculation  of  these 
disguised  infidels  in  regard  to  the  au- 
thorship and  dates  of  the  books  and 
the  different  parts  of  the  books  of  the 
Bible  are  not  only  self-contradictory, 
but  are  opposed  to  the  teachings  of  all 
true  history  and  archaeology,  as  well 
as    of     all    common     sense;     and     a 
hundred  of  their  eight  hundred  theo- 
ries die  every  year;  and  the  most  radi- 
cal of  these  destructives  admit  that  ev- 
ery particle  of  the  Old  Testament  was 
written  at  least  a  hundred  years  before 
the   beginning    of   the    Christian    Era. 
Satan    in    the    subtle    serpent   in    the 
Garden  of  Eden,  was  the  first  "higher 
critic,"  when  he  said  to  Eve:  "Yea  hath 
God    said,  Ye  shall  not  eat  of  every  tree 
in  the  garden?"  thus     casting     doubt 
upon   the   word  of   God.   The   Highest 
Critics — Jesus     Christ  and     the  Holy 
Spirit — put  the  stamp  of  their  Divine 
authority    on   the    Scriptures    of    eter- 
nal truth.     The   Old     Testament  was 
"Our    Saviour's    Bible,"    and    was    al- 
ways   referred    to    by    Him,    with    the 
greatest   reverence,    as    the    infallible, 
the  literally  and   perfectly  true  testi- 
mony   of    God;    and    more    than    two 
thousand  times  in  the  Scriptures  did 
the  Holy   Spirit  move  the  writers  to 


say  that  not  only  their  thoughts,  but 
their  words,  were  God-breathed  or  in- 
spired of  God. 

3.  *The  utter  insincerity  of  the  ene- 
mies of  the  Scriptures,  who,  the  more 
fully  and  clearly  the  natural  light  of 
these  truths  shines  upon  the  world, 
the  more  stubbornly  and  tightly  close 
their  eyes  and  refuse  to  see  it.  The 
attendant  immoralities  of  the  leading 
infidels  of  the  world  are  too  shocking 
to  be  detailed  in  these  fair  pages; 
and  the  unutterable  pandemonium  to 
which  their  teachings  would  reduce 
human  society  is  portrayed,  for  the 
warning  of  all  subsequent  genera- 
tions, in  the  diabolical  scenes  of  the 
French  Atheistical  Revolution  at  the 
close  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

4.  The  absolute  certainty  that  this 
apparently  illimitable  and  incompre- 
hensible universe  had  an  Adequate 
First  Cause,  and  that  that  First 
Cause  was  the  God  of  the  Bible — 
one  omnipresent,  eternal,  sovereign, 
infinitely  holy,  merciful,  wise,  pow- 
erful, unchangeable,  personal  Spirit, 
who,  for  the  manifestation  of  His 
glory,  called  all  things  and  all  other 
persons  into  being  out  of  nothing,  and 
who  sustains  and  governs  them  and 
will  reign  in  glory  over  every  one  of 
them  forever  and  forevermore.  The 
very  first  verse  of  the  Bible,  read  in 
the  light  of  true  science,  demons- 
trates the  fundamental  falsehood  of 
all  heathenism  and  infidelity,  and  the 
fundamental  truth  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. "In  the  beginning  God  created 
the  he'avens  and  the  earth."  The  He- 
brew word  Bara,  translated  created, 
means  to  make  out  of  nothing;  and 
so  atoms,  the  imperceptible  and  in- 
finitesimally  small  particles  of  which 
matter  is  composed — the  little  invis- 
ible gods  of  infidelity — have,  in  their 
perfectly  exact  combining  weights 
and  volumes,  all  the  qualities  of 
manufactured  articles,  thus  demon- 
strating that  matter  is  not  eternal 
(though  all  heathenism  and  infidelity 
say  it  is),  but  was  made  by  an  Eter- 
nal Living  Spirit,  who  also  must  have 
made  all  other  spirits  and  all  other 
living  beings.  And  the  Trinity,  or 
Three-Oneness,  of  the  Creator,  every- 
where set  forth  in  the  Scriptures,  is 
also  everywhere  set  forth  in  the  uni- 
verse which  He  created — in  law, 
power,  and  manifestation. 

5.  The  absolute  certainty  that,  as 
the  miracles  of  God's  creation,  out  of 
nothing,  of  matter,  life,  and  mind, 
took  place  as  recorded  in  the  first 
chapter  of  Genesis,  and  in  geology,  so 
God  could,  by  a  simple  volition  or 
command,  perform  the  fifty  other  mir- 
acles recorded  in  the  Old  Testament 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


345 


and  the  forty  recorded  in  the  New 
Testament,  in  attestation  of  His  ex- 
istence and  character  and  of  the  Di- 
vine commission  of  His  prophets  and 
apostles.  The  disproof  of  the  theory  of 
spontaneous  generation  has  beheaded 
the  doctrine  of  an  atheistic  evolution 
of  the  universe,  in  support  of  which 
lying  vanity  not  one  established  fact 
can  be  adduced,  according  to  the  con- 
current testimony  of  the  whole  scien- 
tific world.  The  insane  imaginations 
of  Charles  Darwin  in  regard  to  the 
transmutations  of  species  are  as  false 
and  incredible  as  the  Metamorphoses 
of  Ovid  or  the  lying  wonders  of  the 
Arabian  Nights.  In  all  the  ages  of  the 
earth's  history,  the  five  hundred  thou- 
sand different  species  of  plants  and 
animals  have  been  "as  fixed  as  the 
Sphinx  that  slumbers  on  the  Egypt- 
ian sands;"  the  resemblance  between 
them  has  been  the  result,  not  of 
physical  descent,  but  of  the  unity  of 
plan  in  the  Creative  Mind. 

6.  The  absolute  certainty  that,  as 
God's  foreknowledge  and  predestina- 
tion and  prophecy  of  the  coming  of 
man  shine  all  throught  he  first  twen- 
ty-five verses  of  Genesis  and  all 
through  the  geological  ages,  so  God 
foreknew  and  predestinated  and  in- 
spired His  servants  to  prophesy,  as 
related  in  the  Scriptures,  not  only 
the  destruction  of  the  enemies  of  Is- 
rael, the  Canaanites,  Ammonites, 
Moabites,  Edomites,  Philistines,  Nin- 
eveh, Babylon,  Tyre,  Egypt,  Greece, 
and  Rome,  but  also  the  coming  of  the 
Son  of  God  as  the  Son  of  Man,  the 
time  and  place  of  His  birth,  His  Di- 
vine-Human nature,  His  life,  teach- 
ings, miracles,  sufferings,  death,  res- 
urrection, and  ascension;  the  setting- 
up  and  history  of  His  kingdom;  the 
destruction  of  Jerusalem  and  the  dis- 
persion of  the  Jews  for  their  rejec- 
tion and  murder  of  their  'Messiah; 
the  treading-down  of  Jerusalem  by 
the  Gentiles,  as  is  now  the  case;  and 
also  the  great  unfulfilled  events  of 
the  eternal  future — the  restoration  of 
the  Jews  to  faith  in  Christ,  if  not  to 
their  own  land;  the  ingathering  of 
the  Gentiles,  the  almost  universal 
apostasy,  the  second  personal  coming 
of  Christ,  the  resurrection  of  the 
dead,  the  final  judgment,  the  everlast- 
ing salvation  of  the  children  of  God 
in  heaven,  and  the  everlasting  damna- 
tion of  His  wicked  enemies  in  hell. 
History  shows  that  hundreds  of  the 
prophesies  of  the  Scriptures  have 
been  circumstantially  fulfilled.  Noth- 
ing but  ungodly  ignorance  denies  it. 
No  other  book  but  the  Bible  pretends 
to   base   its    claims      upon      prophecy, 


which  is  a  perpetual  miracle  that  all 
intelligent  men   can   see. 

7.  The  thorough  conviction  that 
the  first  human  pair  did  not  make 
themselves  nor  spring  from  brutes, 
but  were  created  by  such  a  Being  as 
the  Bible  represents  God  to  be,  and 
that  He  made  them  sinless  and  ac- 
countable creatures,  and  constituted 
them  the  rulers,  under  Him,  of  the, 
world,  and  placed  them  under  a  right- 
ous  law  which  they,  without  any  com- 
pulsion from  Him,  wilfully  transgress- 
ed and  thereby  involved  themselves 
and  all  their  unborn  posterity  in  a  con- 
dition of  sin  and  death,  just  as  the 
Scriptures    declare. 

8.  The  thorough  conviction  that, 
as  is  set  forth  in  the  Scriptures,  the 
only  man  that  ever  lived  a  perfectly 
holy  life  on  earth  was  the  Messiah, 
the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  the  Son 
of  the  Virgin  Mary,  Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth, who  was  born,  and  lived,  and 
taught,  and  suffered,  and  bled,  and 
died,  and  rose  again,  and  ascended  to 
heaven,  in  exact  accordance  with  the 
three  hundred  and  thirty-three  Old 
Testament  prophecies  of  Him  for  four 
thousand  years;  and  that  He  is  the 
only  possible  Saviour  of  sinful  men, 
and  will  save  His  people  from  their 
sins,  having  atoned  for  their  sins  by 
His  death,  and  having  justified  His 
people  by  His  resurrection;  that  He 
will  give  them  eternal  life  and  will 
save  them  in  both  soul  and  body  for- 
ever. 

9.  The  thorough  conviction  that,  as 
the  Scriptures  repesent,  natural  men 
are  dead  in  trespass  and  sins,  and 
need  to  be  quickened  by  the  Spirit  of 
God  into  a  divine,  a  new,  and  a  holy 
life,  in  order  to  realize  their  lost  and 
helpless  condition,  and  to  cause  them 
to  cry  unto  God  for  mercy,  and  to 
bring  them  to  believe  in  Jesus  as 
their  Saviour,  and  to  enable  them  to 
understand  the  spiritual  meaning  of 
the  Scriptures  and  the  dealings  of 
God  with  them  in  His  providence,  and 
to  keep  them  by  His  power  through 
faith  unto  the  fullness  of  the  glo- 
rious salvation  which  is  to  be  reveal- 
ed to  them  in  the  last  time. 

10.  The  deep  feeling  that  we  our- 
selves are  vile,  inexcusable  sinners, 
as  represented  in  the  Scriptures;  that 
we  have  sinned,  all  our  lives  long,  in 
thought,  and  word,  and  deed,  against 
a  Most  Holy  and  Merciful  God,  the 
being  who  made  and  has  kept  us 
alive  and  has  bestowed  innumerable 
blessings  upon  us;  and  that  He  might 
most  justly  consign  us  at  once  to 
hopeless  and  endless  perdition. 

11.  The  deep  feeling  that,  if  we 
are  saved,  it  must  be  by  the  exercise 


346 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


of  God's  entirely  free  mercy;  if  we 
are  ever  accepted  of  Him,  it  must  be 
alone  in  the  perfect  righteousness  of 
His  incarnate,  crucified,  risen,  and 
glorified  Son;  and  that  we  do  believe 
that  the  spotless  Son  of  God,  the 
meek  and  lowly  Lamb,  did,  for  the 
eternal,  amazing  love  that  He  felt  for 
us — poor,  hell-deserving  sinners — 
leave  the  courts  of  heavenly  glory, 
and  was  born  of  a  woman  in  the 
greatest  humility,  and  lived  an  earth- 
ly life  of  the  deepest  poverty  and 
reproach  and  sorrow  and  persecution, 
and  prayed  and  groaned  and  wept 
and  bled  and  died,  in  unspeakable 
shame  and  agony,  for  us,  and  rose 
and  ascended  and  intercedes  for  us 
at  the  right  hand  of  the  Divine  Maj- 
esty, and  will  bless  us,  both  in  time 
and  in  eternity,  with  His  everlasting 
salvation,  in  accordance  with  the 
Scriptures  of  eternal  truth. 

12.  The  deep  feeling  that,  as  de- 
clared in  the  Scriptures,  no  power 
less  than  the  Holy  Spirit  of  the  Liv- 
ing God  could  have  quickened  us  from 
death  of  sin,  convicted  us  of  our 
ruined  condition  and  revealed  to  us 
the  salvation  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  caused  us,  from  the 
depths  of  our  souls,  to  hate  the  sins 
that  slew  our  Saviour,  and  to  love, 
incomparably  above  all  others,  the 
dear  Lord  who  gave  Himself  for  us, 
and  to  love  His  Written  Word  far 
above  all  other  books,  and  His  pre- 
cious children  above  all  other  people, 


and  His  holy  Law  and  blessed  Gos- 
pel, and  to  desire,  from  a  principle  of 
love,  to  benefit  our  fellow-creatures, 
and  to  glorify  God  by  willing  obedi- 
ence to  all  His  commandments  and 
cheerful  submission  to  all  His  dis- 
pensations. Holy  life  and  light  and 
love  are  the  inner  essence  of  God  and 
of  His  salvation.  They  are  the  pro- 
duction of  His  Holy  Spirit  in  His  peo- 
ple. When  perfectly  developed  in  a 
creature,  they  will  assimilate  him  to 
God  and  make  him  perfectly  happy; 
and  when  perfectly  prevalent,  ac- 
cording to  God's  promise,  on  the  new 
earth,  wherein  shall  dwell  righteous- 
ness, they  will  banish  sin  and  its 
curse  forever,  and  transform  the 
world  into  a  heavenly  paradise.  Such 
is  the  crowning  and  unanswerable 
proof  of  the  full  divine  inspiration  of 
the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments  which  set  forth  these 
glorious  truths. 

No  other  book  or  document  of  hu- 
man literature  bears  these  marks  of 
divine  authority;  and,  therefore, 
Primitive  Baptists  consider  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  the  only  infalli- 
ble rule  of  faith  and  practice.  "All 
flesh  is  grass,  and  all  the  goodliness 
thereof  is  as  the  flower  of  the  field; 
the  grass  withereth,  the  flower  fadeth, 
but  the  word  of  our  God  shall  stand 
forever."  Isaiah  xl.  6-8;  1-  Peter  i. 
24,  25. 

SYLVESTER   HASSELL. 


Twelve  Marks  of  the  Apostolic  Church 


1st.  Mark.  The  apostolic  church  con- 
sisted only  of  those  persons  who  had 
been  convicted  of  sin  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  who  had  given  signs  of 
repentence  towards  God,  and  faith  in 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  Son  of 
God. 

2nd  Mark.  True  baptism, — the  im- 
mersion, of  believers  in  water,  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  the  Son  and  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

3rd.  Mark.  The  members  being- 
baptized  believers,  came  frequently 
around  the  Lord's  table,  to  commem- 
orate the  sufferings  and  death  of 
their  precious  Redeemer,  by  partak-  I 
ing  of  the  common  bread  to  repre- 
sent  His  broken  body,  and  common 
wine,  to  represent  His  shed  blood  for 
them. 

4th.     Mark.     The     maintenance     of  '' 
strict  discipline. 

5th  Mark.     The  independent  or  con-  j 


gregation  polity  or  government  of 
each  local  church,  subject  only  to  the 
Headship  of  Christ;  all  the  local 
apostolic  churches  being  united  by  no 
outward  bond  of  force,  but  by  an  in- 
ward bond  of  love. 

6th  Mark.  The  religious  liberty, 
soul-freedom,  a  complete  separation 
of  church  and  state,  the  entire  inde- 
pendence of  each  church  from  all 
state  control,  so  far  as  regards  the 
membership,  ministry,  organization, 
faith,  worship  and  discipline  of  the 
church. 

7th  Mark.  With  a  few  exceptions, 
the  members  were  generally  poor, 
obscure,  unlearned,  afflicted,  despis- 
ed and  persecuted. 

8th  Mark.  The  fraternal  equality, 
the  essential  priesthood,  of  all  the 
members,  in  accordance  with  which 
fact  they  choose  to  office  among  them 
those  of  their  number  whom  they  per- 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL,    INFORMATION 


347 


cieve  to  be  already  qualified  thereunto 
by  the  spirit  of  God — there  being  but 
two  classes  of  offcers,  bishops,  or 
elders,  or  pastors,  and  deacons;  the 
fraternal  equality  of  all  the  members 
involving  the  eternal  equality  of  the 
ministry. 

9th  Mark.  Possession  of  an  humble, 
God-called  and  God-qualified  ministry. 

10th  Mark.  That  while  the  minis- 
try received  voluntary  help  from  the 
churches,  they  were  not  salaried,  but 
labored  themselves,  more  or  less,  for 
their  own  support. 

11th  Mark.  The  sending  out  of  the 
divinely  called  and  qualified  ministry 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  in  themselves  and 
in  the  churches,  their  going  forth, 
withersoever  the  Lord  directed  them, 
in  simple  dependence  upon  Him,  and 
their  preaching  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,  whether  Jew  or  Gentile,  and 
especially  shepherding  the  lambs 
and  sheep  of  Christ. 

12th    Mark.     That    it— the    church- 


was  absolutely  the  only  divinely  rec- 
ognized religious  organization  in  the 
world. 

These  marks,  as  applied  to  the 
apostolic  church,  are  fully  sustained 
by  the  New  Testament,  and  for  proot 
the  reader  is  referred  to  the  standard 
of  faith  and  practice — The  Bible, — and 
as  a  help  to  this  investigation  see 
ninth   chapter  of   Hassell's  History. 

Question:  Is  there  a  church  today 
that  bears  these  marks?  Measure 
the  denominations  around  you  and 
answer  the  question  in  your  own  con- 
science, and  if  you  should  conclude 
that  there  is  such  a  church  and  that 
the  Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptist 
is  that  visible  church  then  may  you 
walk  with  us,  choose  rather  to  suffer 
affliction  with  the  people  of  God  than 
to  enjoy  the  pleasure  of  sin  for  a  sea- 
son. Better  be  like  Noah  and  his  fami- 
ly, a  few  with  the  Lord  and  dwell  in 
the  Ark  of  safety,  than  run  with  the 
world  and  perish  with  wicked. 


Some  Important  Dates  in  Church  History, 
From  the  Latest  and  Highest  Authorities 


By  Church  History  I  mean  the  his- 
tory of  both  the  true  and  false 
Church. 

B.  C. 

4.  Birth    of    Christ    four    years    be- 
fore the  beginning  of  the  so-called 
"Christian  Ere,"  according  to  the 
belief  of  most  scholars. 
A.  D. 

26.  Baptism   of   Christ. 
29.  Crucifixion',     Resurrection,     and 

Ascension  of  Christ. 
70.  Destruction  of  Jerusalem  by  the 
Roman    General    Titus.    Cessation 
cf    the    Temple    service,    the    sac- 
rificial system,  and  of  the  instru- 
mental music   in  the   public   wor- 
ship of  God  among  the  Jews. 
100.  Close     of     the     Apostolic     Age, 
since  which  time  no  new  doctrine 
or  practice  has  been  revealed  by 
God  to  man. 
242.  Manichaeus,    of     Babylon,      bor- 
rows, from  Zoroaster    (600  B.  C) 
the  idea  of  an  Eternal  Devil. 
252.  Birth     of      Catholicism      in    the 
brain   of    Cyprian    of   Carthage   in 
North  Africa. 
256.  First  known   instance    of  infant 

"baptism,"  in  North  Africa. 
313.  Edict  of  Milan,   by   Constantine 
and  Licinius,  for  general  religious 
toleration. 


321.  Sunday  made  a  legal  holiday, 
and  salaries  paid  to  Catholic 
clergy    by    Constantine. 

325.  Council  of  Nice,  whose  decrees 
were,  by  the  Roman  Emperor 
Constantine,  pronounced  inspired: 
he  thus  united  Church  and  State, 
and  soon  began  the  cruel  and 
bloody  persecution  of  non-Catho- 
lics which  continued  through  the 
Dark  Ages  and  for  more  than  fif- 
teen hundred  years,  as  long  as 
tl>e  Catholics  had  control  of  civil 
governments. 

410.  Beginning  of  Pelagianism  (so- 
called  from  Pelagius,  a  British 
monk),  a  system  professing 
Christianity,  and  yet  maintaining 
the  heathen  doctrine  of  salvation 
by   works. 

420.  Semi-Pelagianism;  John  Cas- 
sian,  of  France,  maintains  that 
man  is  saved  by  works  and  grace 
combined. 

440.  Leo  I.,  surnamed  The  Great, 
chosen  bishop  of  Rome,  the  first 
real  Pope. 

570.  Birth   of   Mohammed. 

602.  Supremacy  of  the  bishop  of 
Rome  acknowledged  by  Phorcas, 
emperor  of  the  East. 

610.  Mohammed  begins  the  propaga- 
tion of  his  false  religion. 


348 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL,    INFORMATION 


622.  Flight  of  Mohammed  from  Mec- 
ca to   Medina  in  Arabia — the   be- 
ginning of  the  Mohammedan  Era. 
632.  Death  of  Mohammed. 
642.  Theodosius,   pope   of  Rome,   the 

first  called   "sovereign   pontiff." 
666.  The    organ    introduced   by   Pope 
Vitalian  I.  into  the  Roman  Catho- 
lic Church. 
755.  Beginning  of  the  temporal  pow- 
er of  the  Pope. 
831.  The    false    doctrine    of    transub- 
stantiation,    that    the    bread    and 
wine    in    the    Lord's    Supper    are 
by   the     prayers     of   the     priest, 
changed    into   the   real    body   and 
blood  of  Christ,  invented  by  Pas- 
chasius   Radbert,   of  France. 
881-936.  Papal    Pornocracy,    or    rule 
of    Adulterous    Popes;     and    from 
1484  to  1503. 
988.  The  Greek  Catholic  religion  in- 
troduced into   Russia. 

1054.  The  Roman  Catholic  Pope  and 
the  Greek  Catholic  Patriarch  of 
Constantinople  excommunicate 
each  other. 

1074.  Roman  Catholic  clergy  forbid- 
den to  marry  by  Pope  Gregory 
VII. 

1080.  The  Anti-Pope  Clement  III.  set 
up  by  the  Emperor  Henry  IV. 

1170.  Peter  Waldo  begins  preaching 
at  Lyons. 

1200.  The  Roman  Caiholic  priests  be- 
gin to  withhold  the  cup  or  wine 
from  the  laity  in  communion. 

1248.  Spanish    Inquisition    founded. 

1311.  The  Roman  Catholic  Council  of 
Ravenna,  Italy,  first  authorizes 
sprinkling  or  pouring  for  baptism. 

1341.  First  passage  of  Turks  into  Eu- 
rope. 

1380.  WJycliffe's  English  New  Testa- 
ment completed. 

1384.  Wycliffe's  English.  Bible  com- 
pleted;   death  of  Wycliffe. 

1457.  The  Moravian  Church  founded 
in  Bohemia. 

1517.  Sale  of  Indulgences  authorized 
by  Pope  Leo  X.  Tetzel  in  Ger- 
many. Luther's  Theses  published. 

1521.  Luther  excommunicated.  Luther 
at  the  Diet  of  Worms;  carried 
off  to  the  Castle  of  W.artburg. 
Death  of  Leo   X. 

1526.  Birth  of  Lutheranism  (separa- 
tion from  her  Romish  mother)  at 
the  Diet  of  Spires. 

1530.  The  Augsburg  Confession  of  the 
Lutheran    Church. 

1534.  Birth  of  Episcopalianism  (sepa- 
ration from  her  Romish  mother) 
by  the  Act  of  the  British  Parlia- 
ment.  Luther's   Bible   completed. 

1546.  The  King's  Primer,  first  sketch 
of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer. 


1559.  English  (Episcopal)  Book  of 
Common  Prayer  first  used. 

1560.  Birth  of  Presbyterianism  (sep- 
aration from  her  Romish  mother) 
by  Act  of  the  Scottish  Parlia- 
ment. 

1563.  The  Thirty-nine  Articles  of  the 
(Episcopal-  Church  of  England. 
Canons  and  Decrees  of  the  Rom- 
an  Catholic   Council  at  Trent. 

1610.  The  Five  Arminian  Articles 
adopted  by  the  Remonstrants  of 
Holland,  maintaining  that  man  is 
saved  by  grace  and  works  com- 
bined. 

1611.  The  Auhtroized  or  King  James 
Version  of  the  Bible. 

1612.  Edward  Wightman,  a  Baptist, 
the  last  man  burned  in  England 
for  his  religion. 

1622.  The  First  Misionary  Society 
(Congregatio  de  Propaganda 
Fide)  organized  by  Pope  Gregory 
XV. 

1638.  The  Solemn  League  and  Cove- 
nant of  the  Scots. 

1647.  The  (Presbyterian)  Westmin- 
ster Confession  of  Faith.  George 
Fox    (Quaker)    begins  to  preach. 

1651.  First  (Welsh)  Baptist  Associa- 
tion. 

1653.  First  English  Baptist  Associa- 
tion. 

1655.  Rise  of  women  "preachers" 
among  the  Quakers  or  "Friends." 

1658.  The  (Congregationalist)  Savoy 
Declaration  of  Faith. 

1675.  The  confession  of  the  society  of 
Friends  (Quakers). 

1689.  The  London  Baptist  Confes- 
sion of  Faith  (agreeing  in  doc- 
trine with  the  previous  English 
Baptist  Confessions  of  1643,  1644, 
1656,  1677,  and  1688). 

1698.  First  Protestant  Missionary  So- 
ciety founded  by  the  Episcopal 
(English)  Church — "Society  for 
the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts." 

1701.  The  Welsh  Tract  Church,  the 
oldest  Old  School  Baptist  Church 
in  America,  was  formed  in  Wales 
and  emigrated  to  Delaware, 
where  it  still  exists — the  only 
church  that  emigrated  in  a  body 
from    Europe   to   America. 

1707.  The  First  Baptist  Association 
(the  Philadelphia)  formed  jn 
America. 

1715.  The  First  Hopewell  Church,  the 
second  oldest  Old  School  Baptist 
Church  in  America,  formed  at 
Hopewell,  New  Jersey;  it  is  still 
one  of  our  largest  churches. 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


349 


1739.  The  Methodist  Society,  as  it 
was  called  by  its  founder,  organ- 
ized in  the  Episcopal  Church  by 
John  Wesley,  who  said  that  he 
lived  and  died  in  the  faith  of  the 
Church  of  England  (or  Episcopal 
Church). 

1742.  Kehukee  Church  formed  in 
Halifax  County,  N.  C. 

1765.  The  Kehukee  (the  oldest  Old 
School  or  Primitive  Baptist)  As- 
sociation formed  in  Eastern 
North  Carolina. 

1781.  Sunday  Schools  originated  by 
Robert  Raikes,  an  Episcopalian, 
of   Gloucester,   England. 

1784.  The  twenty-five  Methodist  Ar- 
ticles of  Religion  drawn  up  by 
John   Wesley. 

1792.  First  Baptist  Missionary  Socie- 
ty founded  at  Kettering,  England. 

1799.  The  first  Protracted  and  Camp 
Meetings  started  together  by  a 
Methodist  minister,  John  McGee, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Red  River 
in  Kentucky. 


1814.  American      Baptist      Missionary 

Union  formed. 
1816.  American  Bible  Society  formed. 

1826.  American  Tract  Society  formed. 

1827.  The  Kehukee  Association  op- 
poses all  human  religious  institu- 
tions. 

1832.  The  Black  Rock  Convention,  in 
Maryland,  does  the  same. 

1830.  Mormon  Church  founded  by 
Joseph  Smith,  of  New  York. 

1854.  Dogma  of  the  Immaculate  Con- 
ception of  the  Virgin  Mary  pro- 
claimed at  Rome. 

1870  Infallibility  of  the  Pope  voted 
by  the  Vatican  Council  July  18; 
loss  of  temporal  power  by  the 
Pope    September    20. 

1907.  The  union  of  all  the  Protest- 
ant Churches  (including  the  New 
School  Baptists)  in  China,  at 
Shanghai,  April  25,  in  one  church 
called  "The  United  Protestant 
Church  of  China." 

S.  HAS  SELL, 
In   Gospel  Messenger. 


Denominations 


The  religious  world  is  divided  into 
denominations,  each  of  which  is  dis- 
criminated by  sentiments  peculiar  to 
itself.  I  will  mention  some  of  these 
denominations  and  give,  briefly,  the 
leading  tenets,  as  I  understand  them. 
— (See  separate  articles  on  Roman 
Catholocism  and  Baptist  Denomina- 
tion). 


ATHEIST. 

The  Atheist  does  not  believe  in  the 
existence  of  a  God.  He  attributes-  sur- 
rounding nature  and  all  its  astonish- 
ing phenomena  to  chance. 


DEIST. 

The    Deist    believes    in    a    God,    but 
rejects  the  Bible. 


JUDAISM. 

Judaism  is  the  religious  doctrines 
and  rites  of  the  Jews,  who  are  the 
descendants  of  Abraham,  and  the 
complete  system  is1  contained  in  the 
five  books  of  Moses.  The  Old  Testa- 
ment is  their  Book,  while  they  reject 
the  New  Testament  and  Jesus  Christ, 
and  still  look  for  the  Messiah. 


CHRISTIANITY. 

Christianity,  in  its  broad  sense,  is 
the  belief  of  Jesus  Christ  as  the  Son 
of  God,  and  is  divided  into  many 
sects  respecting  Him  and  His  mis- 
sion on  earth.  Some  of  these  sects 
are:  — 


TRINITARIANS. 

Trinitarians  believe  the  doctrine  of 
a  Trinity,  by  which  is  generally  un- 
derstood, that  there  are  three  distinct 
persons  in  one  individual  Godhead — 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy 
Ghost. 


ARIANS. 

The  Arians  derive  their  name  from 
Arians,  who  lived  in  the  third  century. 
They  deny  the  divinity  of  Christ,  but 
claim  that  He  was  the  first  and 
noblest  of  all  beings  that  God  created. 


NECESSARIANS. 

This  doctrine  is  that  all  actions, 
both  good  and  bad,  are  strictly  nec- 
essary— thus  every  circumstance  can- 
not be  otherwise  than  it  is  through- 
out the  creation  of  God. 


350 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


MATERIALIST. 

The  belief  of  the  Materialist  is  that 
man  is  no  more  than  what  we  now 
see  of  him;  that  the  soul  is  not  a 
principle  independent  of  the  body, 
but  that  it  results  from  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  brain;  though  in  a  manner 
which  will  not  admit  of  explanation. 
They  believe  in  a  resurrection,  but 
deny  any  intermediate  consciousness 
between  death  and  the  resurrection. 


SOCINIANS. 

This  sect  takes  its  name  from 
Faustus  Socinus,  who  died  in  Poland, 
1604.  They  assert  that  Christ  had  no 
existence  until  born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary;  and  that,  being  a  man  like 
ourselves,  though  endowed  with  a 
large  portion  of  divine  wisdom,  the 
only  object  of  his  mission  was  to 
teach  the  efficacy  of  repentance  with- 
out an  atonement,  as  a  medium  of 
divine  favor, — to  exhibit  an  example 
for  our  immitation, — to  seal  his  doc- 
trine with  his  blood,  and,  in  the 
resurrection  from  the  dead,  to  indi- 
cate the  certainty  of  our  resurrection 
at  the  last  day. 


ANTINOMIANS. 

The  Antinomian  derives  his  name 
from  two  Greek  words,  anti,  against, 
and  nomos,  a  law;  his  favorite  tenet 
being,  that  the  law  is  not  a  rule  of 
life  to  believers.  This  doctrine  car- 
ries the  imputed  righteousness  of 
Christ,  and  salvation  by  faith  without 
works,  to  such  an  extent,  as  to  in- 
jure, if  not  wholly  destroy,  obligation 
to  moral  obedience.  This  doctrine  is 
clearly  traceable  to  the  period  of  the 
Reformation,  and  its  promulgator  was 
John  Agricola,  originally  a  disciple  of 
Luther.  The  Papist,  in  their  disputs 
with  the  Protestants,  carried  the 
merit  of  good  works  to  an  extrava- 
gant length;  and  this  induced  some 
of  their  opponents  to  run  into  the  op- 
posite  extreme. 


LUTHERANS. 

The  Lutherans,  of  all  protestants, 
are  those  who  differ  least  from  the 
Romish  Church,  (as  they  affirm  that 
the  body  and  blood  of  Christ  are  ma- 
terially present  in  the  sacrament  of 
the  Lord's  Supper,  though  in  an  in- 
comprehensible manner).  They  also,  to 
some  extent,  maintain  the  use  of 
images    in    churches,    the    distinguish- 


ing vestments  of  the  clergy,  the  pri- 
vate confession  of  sins,  the  use  of 
wafers  in  the  administration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  the  form  of  exorcism 
in  the  celebration  of  baptism,  etc.; 
though  in  the  past  century  the  doc- 
trine and  practice  of  Luther  has  been 
greatly  modified. 


EPISCOPALIANS,    OR    CHURCH    OF 
ENGLAND. 

The  Episcopalians,  in  the  modern 
acceptation  of  the  term,  belong  more 
especially  to  the  Church  of  England 
and  derives  this  title  from  Episcopus, 
the  Latin  word  for  Bishop.  They  in- 
sist on  the  divine  origin  of  their  bish- 
ops and  other  church  officers,  and  on 
the  alliance  between  church  and 
state.  However,  there  is  difference  of 
opinion  among  their  most  learned 
scholars  on  these  subjects.  This 
church  broke  off  from  the  Romish 
church  in  Luther's  time,  and  is  gov- 
erned in  England,  by  the  King,  who 
is  supreme  head;  by  two  arch-bishops, 
and  twenty-four  bishops. 


DISSENTERS    OR    PURITANS. 

Dissenters  from  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land made  their  first  appearance  in 
Queen  Elizabeth's  time,  about  16G2, — 
when,  on  account  of  the  extraordinary 
purity  which  they  proposed  in  relig- 
ious worship  and  conduct,  they  were 
reproached  with  the  name  of  Puri- 
tans. Their  form  of  worship  is  simi- 
lar to  that  of  the  mother  church, 
though    more    simple. 


KIRK   OF   SCOTLAND. 

The  members  of  the  Kirk  of  Scot- 
land, are  strictly  speaking,  the  Pres- 
byterians of  Great  Britain.  Their 
mode  of  church  government  was 
brought  thither  from  Geneva  by  John 
Knox,  the  celebrated  Scotch  reform- 
er, who  has  been  styled  the  apostle 
of  Scotland  for  the  same  reason  that 
Luther  was  called  the  apostle  of  Ger- 
many.        , 


CALVINISM. 

This  term  is  applied  to  those  be- 
lieving in  the  doctrine  advocated  by 
John  Calvin  who  was  born  in  Nogen. 
in  Picardy,  in  1509,  was  "professor  of 
Divinity"  at  Geneva  in  1536,  and  was 
noted  for  his  genius,  learning  and  elo- 
quence.   The    five    principal   points   of 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


351 


Calvinism  are:  (1),  that  all  mankind 
are  totally  depraved  in  consequence 
of  the  fall  of  Adam;  (2),  that  God  has 
chosen  a  certain  number  of  the  fallen 
race  in  Christ  unto  everlasting  glory, 
before  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
according  to  His  immutable  purpose, 
and  of  his  free  grace  and  love,  with- 
out the  exercise  of  faith,  good  works 
or  any  condition  performed  by  the 
creature;  and  that  the  rest  of  man- 
kind he  was  pleased  to  pass  by,  and 
ordain  to  eternal  death  to  the  praise 
of  his  justice;  (3),  that  Jesus  Christ 
by  His  death  and  suffering,  made 
atonement  for  the  sins  of  the  elect 
only;  (4),  that  all  whom  God  predes- 
tinated unto  life,  He  is  pleased  to  ef- 
fectually call  by  His  Spirit;  (5),  that 
those  called  and  sanctified  by  His 
Spirit,  shall  never  finally  fall  from  a 
state  of  grace.  These  five  points  are 
directly  opposed  to  Arminianism.  Pres- 
byterians, Lutherns,  Episcopalians, 
and  many  other  denominations  hold 
to  some  or  all  of  these  points  of  doc- 
trine in  their  aticles  of  faith,  but  gen- 
erally deny  them  in  their  pulpits. 


ARMINIANS. 

Arminians  favor  the  doctrine  of 
James  Arminius,  "a  professor  of  Di- 
vinity" at  Leydon,  who  lived  in  the 
sixteenth  century.  This  doctrine  is 
the  opposite  of  Calvinism  and  is  based 
on  man's  free  will.  Its  cardinal  points 
are:  Christ  by  His  death  made  an 
atonement  for  all  mankind,  subject  to 
the  condition  of  a  belief  in  Him  fol- 
lowed by  good  works;  that  men  are 
not  totally  depraved  or  helpless  sin- 
ners; that  the  grace  and  calling  of 
God  can  be  resisted,  and  accomplishes 
nothing  without  man's  acceptance  of 
his  own  free  will;  that  even  those 
who  accept  salvation  and  become 
united  to  Christ  by  faith,  may  fall 
from  grace  and  be  finally  lost;  that 
God  has  an  equal  regard  for  all,  and 
sent  His  Son  to  die  for  the  sins  of 
all  the  race  of  men  and  if  any  are 
saved  it  depends  upon  the  voluntary 
exercise  of  faith  and  the  performing 
of  conditions; — in  a  word,  that  God 
is  doing  all  He  can  do  to  save  the 
world.  All  denominations  of  the  pres- 
ent day,  except  the  Old  School  or 
Primitive  Baptists — advocate  Armin- 
ism  in  some  of  its  alluring  and  plaus- 
ible forms. 


SECEEDERS. 

Dissenters      from      the       Kirk,      or 
Church  of  Scotland,  called  themselves 


Seceeders.  They  are  rigid  Calvanists 
in  doctrine,  and  rather  austere  in 
their  manners  and  discipline. 


INDEPENDENTS. 

The  first  Independent  or  Congrega- 
tional church  in  England  was  estab- 
lished by  a  Mr.  '  Jacob  in  the  year 
1616;  though  a  John  Robinson  is  usu- 
ally given  the  credit  of  having  been 
the  founder  of  the  sect.  They  are  Dis- 
senters, somewhat  Calvanistic  in  doc- 
trine, and  in  church  government,  be- 
lieve every  congregation  is  independ- 
ent of  every  other,  hence  their  name 
Independents. 


PAEDO-BAPTIST. 

This  word  is  derived  from  the  Greek 
word  Pais,  which  signifies  child  or 
infant,  and  Bapto,  to  baptize;  and  is 
applied  to  all  denominations  who  bap- 
tize infants.  Baptizers  of  infants,  of 
whatever  name,  are  known  as  Paedo- 
Baptist. 


DISCIPLES   OF    CHRIST,   OR   CAMP- 
BELLITES. 

Alexander  Campbell  (1788-1866), 
was  the  founder  of  this  denomina- 
tion. He  was  born  in  Ireland,  came 
to  America  with  his  father  in'  1807, 
was  a  minister  of  the  "Seceeder 
Church  of  Scotland,"  afterwards  re- 
nounced his  former  connection  and 
joined  the  Baptist,  and  was  baptized 
by  Elder  Loos,  a  Baptist  minister  in 
1812;  joined  the  Red-Stone  Baptist 
Association  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1813, 
and  the  Mahoning  Association  in  1823. 
For  preaching  doctrine  and  contend- 
ing for  practices  not  fellowshipped  by 
Baptists,  he  and  his  followers,  were 
in  1S27,  cut  off  by  the  Baptist 
churches,  formed  a  separate  body  and 
called  themselves  Disciples  of  Christ. 
In  doctrine,  they  are  extreme  Armin- 
ians;  minimize  the  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  and  maximize  the  work  of  man, 
and  make  immersion  essential  to  sal- 
vation. Sometimes  they  call  them- 
selves   Christian    Baptists. 


QUAKERS    OR    FRIENDS. 

This  sect  had  its  origin  in  England 
about  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth 
century.  George  Fox,  who  was  born 
in  1624,  was  the  founder.  He  received 
his  religious  instruction  in  the  Church 
of  England.    Friends   is   the  name   by 


352 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


which  they  call  their  church;  Quakers 
is  an  epithet  applied  to  them  by  way 
of  contempt,  on  account  of  the  fact 
that  their  voices  in  speaking  were 
very  tremulous,  and  because  they 
shook  and  quaked  prodigiously  in 
their  meetings,  in  consequence  of 
their  religious  terrors  and  conscien- 
tious fears.  They  were  greatly  perse- 
cuted until  the  time  of  James  the 
Second.  William  Penn  was  the  most 
distinguished  Quaker  in  America, 
Pennsylvania  being   named   for   him. 


METHODIST. 

This  denomination  owes  its  origin 
to  John  Wesley  who  was  born  in  Eng- 
land, in  1703  though  it  was  evidently 
not  his  purpose  to  found  a  denomina- 
tion for  in  the  last  year  of  his  life — 
1791 — he  published  a  letter  in  which 
he  wrote:  "I  live  and  die  a  member  of 
the  Church  of  England,  and  no  one 
who  regards  my  judgment  or  advice 
will  ever  separate  from  it."  He  de- 
signed only  to  found  a  "society"  in 
the  Anglican  communion;  and  he  de- 
clared he  wished  the  name  of  "Meth- 
odist," might  never  be  mentioned 
more  but  be  buried  in  eternal  obliv- 
ion." After  his  death  his  "Evangelical 
Societies"  seceeded  from  the  Chnrch 
of  England  and  became  a  separarte 
denomination,  and  this  denomination 
has  divided  until  there  are  seven- 
teen bodies  of  Methodists.  The  name 
"Methodist"  was  first  applied  to  Wes- 
ley and  his  followers,  by  their  ene- 
mies, in  consequence  of  their  method 
— their  orderly  and  composed  demean- 
or. The  American  Cyclopedia  says  the 
essence  of  the  doctrine  of  Methodism 
is,  "that  the  salvation  of  each  human 
being  depends  solely  on  his  own  free 
action." 


PRESBYTERIANS. 

Presbyterians  sprung  from  the 
Church  of  Scotland  and  was  chiefly 
founded  by  John  Knox,  who  was  born 
in  1505,  though  John  Calvin  is  usual- 
ly considered  the  founder.  The  first 
Presbyterian  church  in  the  United 
States  was  formed  in  Philadelphia  by 
immigrants  from  Scotland  about  the 
close  of  the  seventeenth  century.  In 
doctrine,  Presbyterians  are  Calvan- 
istic,  holding  in  their  articles  of  faith, 
to  the  doctrine  of  God's  foreordina- 
tion,  election,  predestination,  holy 
calling,  justification  and  final  glorifica- 
tion of  a  portion  of  the  human  race, 
but,  in  this  age,  rarely  preach  it  in 
their     pulpits.      Arminianism     is   the 


tendency.  They — like  the  Methodists, 
Lutherans,  and  many  other  denomina- 
tions— baptize  infants  and  practice 
sprinkling  for  baptism.  They  have  di- 
vided into  twelve  parties,  among 
which  are  the  Old  School,  the  New 
School,  Reformed,  .  Cumberland,  and 
others. 


MORMONS,    OR     LATTER     DAY 
SAINTS. 

This  sect  was  founded  by  Joseph 
Smith,  who  was  born  in  Sharon,  Vt., 
in  December,  1S05.  He  pretended  that 
in  September,  1823,  he  was  favored 
with  a  divine  vision;  that  an  angel 
from  heaven  informed  him  he  was 
chosen  by  Christ  to  proclaim  a  new 
religion;  that  the  end  of  the  world 
was  almost  here,  and  that  he  (Smith) 
was  appointed  to  be  the  herald  and 
forerunner;  that  certain  golden 
plates,  containing  a  new  revelation 
was  buried  at  a  certain  place  under 
ground,  and  that  he  was  commission- 
ed to  obtain,  read,  and  interpret  them, 
and  proclaim  their  contents  to  the 
world.  The  result  is  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon, or  Mormon  Bible.  Prophet  Smith 
was,  in  1843,  arrested  and  confined  in 
Carthage  (111.)  jail  on  the  charge  of 
destroying  an  anti-Mormon  newspa- 
per office,  and  of  treason  against  the 
state  of  Illinois;  and  before  his  trial 
an  infuriated  mob  attacked  the  jail, 
and  Smith,  in  attempting  to  escape 
through  a  window  was  struck  by 
many  balls  from  fire-arms,  and  fell 
to  the  ground  a  corpse.  Being  driven 
from  Illinois  the  Mormons  settled  in 
the  Great  Salt  Lake  Valley,  Utah, 
Brigham  Young  became  their  leader 
after  Smith  death.  Among  other 
false  doctrines  they  advocate  and 
practice  is  that  of  polygamy — a  plu- 
rality of  wives. 

UNIVERSALISTS. 

As  an  organization  this  denomina- 
tion came  into  existence  about  the 
beginning  of  the  ninteenth  century, 
but  the  real  doctrine  of  Universalism 
is  not  new.  Origen,  who  lived  in  the 
third  century  advocated  it,  and  so  has 
others,  connected  with  different  de- 
nominations from  that  time  on.  Uni- 
versalists  believe  that  Christ  died  for 
all,  and  that  all  shall  be  brought  to  a 
participation  of  His  death  and  be 
saved. 

SABBATARIANS. 

The  Sabbatarians,  as  a  sect,  arouse 
in   England   about   1G50.  They  believe 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


353 


in  keeping  the  seventh  day  as  the 
Sabbath  or  day  of  worship,  instead  of 
the  first.  They  are  known  also  as 
Seventh-day  Baptists.  Adventists  also, 
generally  hold  this  view. 


MORAVIANS,    OR    UNITED    BRETH- 
REN. 

This  sect  is  supposed  to  have  arisen 
under  Nicholas  Lewis,  a  German  No- 
bleman who  died  in  1760.  They  were 
called  Moravians,  because  the  first 
converts  to  this  system  were  some 
Moravian  families,  but  they  called 
themselves  United  Brethren.  John 
Huss,  the  Bohemian  reformer,  is 
sometimes  called  the  founder  of  the 
denomination.  Their  doctrinal  belief 
has  always  been  very  undefined  and 
unsettled. 


ADVENTISTS,    OR    MILLERITES. 

This  sect  originated  about  1833,  by 
William  Miller,  of  New  York.  Their 
most  conspicuous  doctrine  is  the  ap- 
pointed time  for  the  end  of  the  world. 
Special  dates  for  the  conflagration  of 
the  universe  have  been  named  by 
them,  ,  first  in  1843,  and  from  time  to 
time  since.  They  are  also  sometimes 
called  Sabbatarians  and  contend  that 
Saturday,  and  not  Sunday,  should  be 
the  day  for  our  especial  worship  of 
God.  They  have  divided  into  six 
bodies,  and  are  Arminian  in  doctrine. 


DUNKERS,    OR    GERMAN    BAPTIST. 

The  Dunkers  (or  Tunkers  as  some- 
times called),  originated  with  Conrad 
Peysel,  a  German  Baptist  about  1724, 
who  becoming  weary  of  the  world  re- 
tired to  an  agreeable  solitude,  within 
about  fifty  miles  of  Philadelphia,  fol- 
lowed by  some  of  like  temperament 
and  others  from  curiosity,  who  form- 
ed themselves  into  a  kind  of  com- 
monwealth, or  colony  of  German  Bap- 
tists. They  practiced  triune  baptism 
(dipping  or  immersing,  three  times 
face  foremost),  and  are  peculiar  in 
dress  and  the  way  they  wear  their 
hair,  beard  and  head  dress.  Their  ob- 
servation of  the  Lord's  Supper  con- 
sists of  a  full  meal  of  beef,  mutton, 
bread,  etc.,  better  known  as  love- 
feast,  at  which  time  they  usuany  prac- 
tice feet-washing.  They  are  generally 
Arminian  in  doctrine,  and  have  divid- 
ed into  four  distinct  parties. 


"CHRISTIAN    SCIENCE",    OR    EDDY- 
ISM. 

Mrs.  Mary  Baker  G.  Eddy — born 
1821 — is  the  founded  of  this  doctrine 
in  its  modern  form.  This  doctrine 
seems  to  teach  that  sin,  sickness  and 
death,  are  woes  that  only  seem  to  ex- 
ist,— that  all  the  trouble  with  the  hu- 
man race  is  "mental  errors,"— a  mat- 
ter of  pessimistic  imagination  that 
can  be  cured  by  believing  as  they 
teach.  The  doctrine  was  first  promul- 
gated by  Mrs.  Eddy  in  1866. 


SPIRITUALISM. 

iSpiritualists  believe  in  the  actual 
and  open  intercourse  or  communica- 
tion between  the  inhabitants  of  earth 
and  those  who  have  passed  to  the 
spirit  world.  Modern  Spiritualism  had 
its  rise  in  the  year  1848,  in  what  is 
known  as  the  "Fox  Family,"  in  the 
western  part  of  the  state  of  New 
York.  "Mediums,"  or  persons  special- 
ly qualified,  are  necessary,  through 
whom  the  spirit's  manifestations  are 
received  by  rapping,  audible  sound, 
etc.  They  have  no  regular  denomina- 
tional organization,  nor  written  creed. 
They  do  not  generally  regard  the 
Bible  as  a  book  of  inspiration,  and 
differ  widely  on  many  points  of  the- 
ology. 


CONFUCIUSISM. 

This  is  the  religion  of  China.  Con- 
fucius was  the  founder.  He  was  a 
philosopher  who  lived  about  500  B.  C, 
and  his  followers  today  are  estimated 
at  about  80,000  000  people.  The  Ency- 
clopedia of  Religious  Knowledge  says 
this  religion  "consists  in  a  deep  in- 
ward veneration  for  the  god  or  king 
of  heaven,  and  in  the  practice  of  every 
moral  virtue.  They  have  neither  tem- 
ples nor  priests,  nor  any  settled  form 
of  external  worship,  every  one  adores 
the  Supreme  Being  in  the  way  he  likes 
best." 


SHINTOISM. 

This  form  of  religion  prevails  in 
Japan  and  parts  of  China,  is  said  to 
have  been  originally  very  pure  in  its 
doctrine  and  of  great  antiquity.  Shinto 
died  many  years  B.  C.  His  followers 
are    estimated    at    14,000,000. 


PAGANISM. 

This  term  is  applied   to  those  who 
worship  and  adore     idols     and     false 


354 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


gods.  At  one  time  or  another,  Pagan- 
ism has  existed  over  all  inhabitable 
parts  of  the  earth.  About  three-fifths 
of  the  world's  population  today  are 
Pagans.  At  different  periods  and  by 
different  nations,  almost  everything 
known  to  man,  whether  animate  or  in- 
animate, have  been  objects  of  wor- 
ship. 


PANTHEISM. 

The  Pantheist  believes  that  the  uni- 
verse is  God.  Instead  of  believing  as 
the  Atheist,  that  there  is  no  God,  the 
advocates  of  this  system,  believe,  all 
is  God.  They  make  no  distinction  be- 
tween nature  and  God,  but  say  Nature 
is  the  body  of  God. 


MOHAMMEDANISM. 

Mohammedans  derive  their  name 
and  doctrine  from  Mohammed  or  gen- 
erally called  Mahomet,  who  was 
born  in  Arabia  in  the  sixth  century. 
Their  religion  is  contained  in  the  Ko- 
ran, their  bible.  Mahomet  pretended 
to  receive  revelation  from  God,  and  de- 
clared God  sent  him  in  the  world,  not 
only  to  teach  his  will,  but  to  compel 
mankind  to  embrace  it.  The  followers 
of  Mahomet  are  estimated  at  200,000,- 
000. 


BRAHMAISM. 

The  Brahminical  religion  is  of  great 
antiquity  and  spreads  over  the  greater 
part  of  India.  Brahma,  its  founder, 
is  regarded  by  the  Hindoos  as  the 
father  of  legislators.  By  some  he 
is  regarded  as  the  almighty  creator, 
preserver  and  destroyer.  About  175,- 
000,000  of  the  world's  population  are 
worshipers  of  Brahma. 


BUDDHISM. 

This  system  of  religion  holds  sway 
in  Eastern  Asia  and  embraces  about  a 
third  of  the  human  race,  or  between 
350,000  000  and  450,000,000  people.  It 
teaches  that,  at  distant  intervals,  a 
Buddha,  or  diety,  appears  on  earth  to 
restore  the  people  from  a  .state  of  ig- 
norance and  decay.  Four  Buddahas 
have  thus  appeared  in  the  world,  the 
last  one  by  name  of  Gaudama,  died  543 
B.  C.  Another  is  looked  for.  Relics 
and  images  are  worshiped  until  an- 
other Buddha  comes. 


ROMAN  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

As  to  the  origin  of  Roman  Catholi- 
cism, Elder  Sylvester  Hassell,  author 
of  Hassell's  Church  History,  editor  of 
The  Gospel  Messenger  and  moderator 
of  the  Kehukee  Association,  which  was 
organized  in  1765,  and  is  the  oldest 
Primitive  Baptist  Association  in  the 
United  States,  has  this  to  say: 

"Thasicus  Caccilius  Cyprianus,  us- 
ually called  Cyprian,  born  in  Africa 
about  A.  D.  200,  styled  'Bishop  of  Car- 
thage,' from  A.  D.  248  to  258,  beheaded 
by  the  pagan  Roman  Emperor  Valer- 
ian September  14,  258,  was  the  father 
or  founder  of  Roman  Catholicism,  rep- 
senting  'the  Bishops  as  the  successors 
of  the  Apostles,  the  chair  of  Peter  as 
the  center  of  episcopal  unity,  and  the 
Church  at  Rome  the  root  of  all;'  and 
yet  Cyprian  conceded  only  an  ideal 
precedence  to  the  'Bishop  of  Rome, 
for  he  accused  the  Roman  Bishop 
Stephen  of  error  and  abuse  of  power. 
The  first  pope,  in  the  real  sense  of  the 
word,  was  Leo  I,  (A.  D.  440-461),  who 
ambitious'' y  and  energetically  sought 
to  transform  the  'church'  into  an  eccle- 
siastical monarchy,  with  himself  at 
the  head;  and  yet  the  28th  canon  of  the 
Council  of  Chalcedon  (A.  D.  451),  ac- 
knowledged by  Rome  to  be  Ecumeni- 
cal, elevated  the  'Bishop'  of  Constanti- 
nople to  official  equality  with  the  pope. 
The  Scriptures  nowhere  say  that  Peter 
ever  went  to  Rome,  or  that  he  was  to 
be  head  of  the  other  Apostles  (Christ 
is  the  only  Head  of  His  church),  much 
less  that  Peter  was  to  have  a  success- 
or who  was  to  be  the  head  of  the 
church  on  earth." 

Tnis  denomination,  sometimes  called 
Papist,  are  so  dominated  from  their 
leading  tenet,  the  infallibility  and  su- 
premacy of  the  Pope.  The  Latin  word 
for  Pope  is  Papa,  signifying  father. 
By  the  infallibility  of  the  Pope,  is  un- 
derstood that  the  Pope  cannot  err  in 
ecclesiastical  matters;  and  by  his  su- 
premacy is  meant  his  authority  over  all 
churches,  and  sometimes  over  all 
princes,  or  civil  powers  of  the  earth. 

The  history  of  the  past  paints  a  dark 
and  bloody  picture  of  Roman  Catholi- 
cism. 

"The  Church  of  Rome,"  says  Mr.  W. 
E.  H.  Lecky,  "has  caused  more  wars, 
has  shed  more  innocent  blood  and  in- 
flicted more  unmerited  suffering,  than 
any  other  institution  that  has  ever 
existed  among  mankind. 

"In  addition  to  the  Jesuit  Catholic 
atrocities  of  this  century  already 
enumerated  with  some  particulars, 
they  massacred  400  Protestants  at 
Grossoto,  in  Lombardy,  July  the  nine- 
teenth,   1620;    are    said    to   have    des- 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


355 


troyed  400,000  Protestants  in  Ireland 
in  1641  in  outright  murder,  and  cold 
and  hunger  and  drowning;  cruelly  ex- 
iled 500  families  of  Waldenses  in  Pied- 
mont in  1601;  most  diabolically  tor- 
tured, outraged  and  massacred  6,000 
of  the  same  poor  people  in  1655;  and 
partly  butchered  and  partly  imprison- 
ed most  foully  and  banished  most  in- 
humanly 12,000  of  these  inoffensive 
people  of  God  in  1686,  thousands  of 
them  being  led  like  sheep  to  the 
slaughter  because  they  would  not  bow 
down  to  the  corrupting  idolatries  of 
Rome. 

"It  is  estimated  that  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church  has  murdered  fifty 
millions  of  the  human  family,  and  that 
their  martyr  blood  would  fill  a  channe1. 
ten  feet  deep,  ten  feet  wide  and  twenty- 
five  miles  long." 

The  Doctrinal  Code  of  the  Church. 

The  formulary  of  faith  is  the  creed 
of  Pius  IV.,  issued  after  the  Council  of 
Trent  with  some  additions  after  that 
of  the  Vatican.     It  is  as  follows: 

"I,  N.  N.,  with  a  firm  faith  believe 
and  profess  all  and  every  one  of  those 
things  which  are  contained  in  that 
creed,  which  the  holy  Roman  Church 
maketh  use  of." 

Then  follows  the  Nicene  creed: 

'I  most  steadfastly  admit  and  em- 
brace apostolical  and  ecclesiastical 
traditions,  and  all  other  observances 
and  constitutions  of  the  same  church. 

"I  also  admit  the  holy  Scriptures,  ac- 
cording to  that  sense  which  our  holy 
mother  the  church  has  held  and  does 
hold,  to  which  it  belongs  to  judge  of 
the  true  sense  and  interpretation  of 
the  Scriptures;  neither  will  1  ever 
take  and  interpret  them  otherwise 
than  according  to  the  unanimous  con- 
sent of  the  fathers. 

"I  also  confess  that  there  are  truly 
and  properly  seven  sacraments  of  the 
new  law,  instituted  by  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord,  and  necessary  for  the  sal- 
vation of  mankind,  though  not  all  for 
every  one — to-wit,  baptism,  confirma- 
tion, the  eucharist  penance;  and  that 
they  confer  grace,  and  that  of  these, 
baptism,  confirmation,  and.  orders  can 
not  be  reiterated  without  sacrilege.  I 
also  receive  and  admit  the  received 
and  approved  ceremonies  of  the  Cath- 
olic Church,  used  in  the  solemn  ad- 
ministration of  the  aforesaid  sacra- 
ments. 

"I  embrace  and  receive  all  and  every 
one  of  the  things  which  have  been 
defined  and  declared  in  the  holy  Coun- 
cil of  Trent,  concerning  original  sin 
and  justification. 

I  profess  likewise,  that  in  tne  mass 
(communion  service)   there  is  offered 


to  God  a  true  proper,  and  propitiatory 
sacrifice  for  the  living  and  the  dead; 
and  that  in  the  most  holy  sacrament 
of  the  eucharist  (Lord's  supper)  there 
is  truly,  really,  and  substantially  the 
body  and  blood,  together  with  the  soul 
and  divinity,  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ; 
and  that  there  is  made  a  conversion 
of  the  whole  substance  of  the  bread 
into  the  body,  and  of  the  whole  sub- 
stance of  the  wine  into  the  blood, 
which  conversion  the  Catholic  Church 
calls  transubstantiation.  I  also  con- 
fess that  under  each  kind  Christ  is 
whole  and  entire,  and  a  true  sacra- 
ment is  received. 

"I  firmly  hold  that  there  is  a  purga- 
tory, and  that  the  souls  therein  de- 
tained are  helped  by  the  sufferings  of 
the  faithful. 

"Likewise  that  the  saints  reigning 
with  Christ  are  to  be  honored  and  in- 
vocated,  and  that  they  offer  up  prayers 
to  God  for  us,  and  that  their  relics 
ought  to  be  venerated. 

"I  most  firmly  assert  that  the  images 
of  Christ,  of  the  Mother  of  God,  and 
also  of  the  saints,  ought  to  be  had  and 
retained,  and  that  due  honor  and  ven- 
eration are  to  be  given  to  them. 

"I  also  affirm  that  the  power  of  in- 
dulgences was  left  by  Christ  to  the 
Church,  and  that  the  use  of  them  is 
most  welcome   to   Christian    people. 

"I  acknowledge  the  holy  Catholic 
Apostolic  Roman  Church  for  the  moth- 
er and  mistress  of  all  churches,  and  I 
promise  true  obedience  to  the  Bishop 
of  Rome,  successor  to  St.  Peter, 
prince  of  the  apostles  and  vicar  of 
Jesus  Christ  on  earth. 

"I  also  undoubtedly  receive  and  pro- 
fess all  other  things  delivered,  defined, 
and  declared  by  the  Sacred  Canons 
and  General  Councils,  and  particuarly 
by  the  Holy  Council  of  Trent,  and  de- 
livered, defined  and  declared  by  the 
General  Council  of  the  Vatican;  espe- 
cially concerning  the  Primacy  of  the 
Roman  Pontiff  and  his  infallible  teach- 
ing authority;  and  I  also  condemn,  re- 
ject, and  anathematize  all  things  con- 
trary thereto,  and  all  heresies  whatso- 
ever condemned,  rejected  and  anathe- 
matized by  ^he  church. 

"This  true  Catholic  Faith,  out  of 
which  none  can  be  saved,  I  now  truly 
profess  and  truly  hold.  And  I,  N — . 
promise  to  hold  and  profess  the  same 
whole  and  entire,  with  God's  assist- 
ance, to  the  end  of  my  life.     Amen." 

Catholicism  and  a  free  republican 
form  of  government  are  at  variance. 
Freedom  of  conscience  and  Catholic 
doctrine  will  not  mix,  and  it  is  un- 
doubtedly the  purpose  of  Roman  Ca- 
tholicism to  possess  and  dominate  this 
country. 


356 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


Bishop  Gilmour,  Cleveland,  O.,  says 
in  his  Lenten  Letter,  March,  1873: 
"Nationalities  must  be  subordinate  to 
religion.  We  must  learn  that  we  are 
Catholics  first  and  citizens  next." 

The  St.  Louis  Globe  says:  "It  is 
the  duty  of  every  Catholic  to  vote  for 
the  Catholic  candidate — Catholics  must 
use  the  ballot  to  promote  the  cause 
of  the  Church." 

"The  Catholic  World  of  New  York, 
says:  "The  Catholic  Church  numbers 
one-third  of  the  population,  and  if  its 
membership  shall  increase  for  the 
next  thirty  years  as  it  has  in  the  thirty 
years  past,  in  1900  Rome  will  have  a 
majority  and  possess  this  country  and 
keep  it.  There  is  ere  long  to  be  a 
state  religion  in  this  country,  and  that 
religion  is  to  be  Roman  Catholic.  The 
Roman  Catholic  is  to  wield  his  vote 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  Catholic 
ascendency  in  this  country." 

"In  reply  to  McGee,  editor  of  Free- 
man's Journal,  the  bishops  and  priests 
said:  "We  are  determined,  like  you, 
to  take  possession  of  the  United  States 
and  rule  them.  Let  us,  then,  multiply 
our  votes;  let  us  call  our  poor  but 
faithful  Irish  Catholics  from  every 
corner  of  the  world  and  gather  them 
unto  the  very  hearts  of  those  proud 
citadels  which  the  Yankees  are  so  rap- 
idly building  up." 

The  Rambler,  a  Catholic  paper,  says: 
"Religious  liberty,  in  a  sense  of  a  liber- 
ty possessed  by  every  man  to  chose 
his  own  religion,  is  one  of  the  most 
wicked  delusions  ever  poised  upon  this 
age  by  the  father  of  all  deceit." 

"The  Roman  Catholic  Church  fur- 
ther declares  that  freedom  of  worship, 
as  guaranteed  by  our  Constitution,  is 
a  heresy  and  totally  false." 

"Archbishop  Ryan,  in  a  recent  ser- 
mon in  Philadelphia,  said:  The  church 
tolerates  heretics  when  she  is  obliged 
to  do  so,  but  she  hates  them  with  a 
deadly  hatred,  and  uses  all  her  power 
to  annihilate  them.  Our  enemies  know 
how  she  treated  heretics  in  the  middle 
ages  and  how  she  treats  them  today 
when  she  has  the  power.  We  no  more 
think  of  denying  these  historic  facts 
than  we  do  of  blaming  the  Holy  God 
and  the  princes  of  the  church  for  what 
they  have  thought  fit  to  do." 

"Bishop  O'Conner,  of  Pittsburg,  said: 
Religious  liberty  is  merely  endured  un- 
til the  opposite  can  be  carried  into  ef- 
fect without  peril  to  the  Catholic 
world." 

Father  Hecker  said:  "The  day  will 
come  when  Roman  Catholics  will  take 
this  country  and  build  their  institu- 
tions over  the  grave  of  Protestantism, 
and  then  religious  liberty  is  at  an 
end." 


If  the  claim  should  be  made  that 
these  are  all  ancient  facts  and  authori- 
ties, and  that  the  Catholics  of  today 
do  not  hold  such  views,  our  answer  is 
at  hand.  Rome  does  not  change,  and 
the  very  latest  writers  of  Rome  make 
this  claim. 

Pius  IX,  says:  "The  Church  has  the 
right  to  avail  itself  of  force,  and  to 
use  the  temporal  power  for  that  pur- 
pose."  (Pius  IX,  Encyclical,  24.) 

M.  Louis  Venillot,  a  prominent 
French  Catholic,  says:  "When  there 
is  a  Protestant  majority  we  claim  re- 
ligious liberty  because  such  is  their 
principle;  but  when  we  are  in  major- 
ity we  refuse  it  because  that  is  ours." 

The  Watchman,  St.  Louis,  says: 
"Protestantism!  We  would  draw  and 
quarter  it.  We  would  impale  it  and 
hang  it  up  for  crow's  nests.  We  would 
tear  it  with  pinchers  and  fire  it  with 
hot  irons.  We  would  fill  it  with  molten 
lead,  and  sink  it  in  hell  fire  a  hundred 
fathoms  deep." 

"Roman  Catholics  hold  all  marriages 
to  be  illegal  which  are  not  celebrated 
by  Roman  Catholic  authority  and 
hence  that  all  such  people  are  nothing 
but  a  set  of  adulterers,  illegitimates 
and  bastards. 

They  hold  our  public  schools  to  be 
so  many  nurseries  of  hell. 

The  fact  is  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  in  its  policy  is  very  shrewd, 
and  when  that  policy  requires  it  they 
will  excel  all  others  in  deeds  of  char- 
ity, kindness  and  benevolence,  abiding 
with  the  poor,  distressed,  forsaken  and 
afflicted  when  all  others  have  fled 
away;  on  the  other  hand  when  that 
policy  requires  it  they  will  excel  the 
devil  himself  if  possible,  in  deeds  of 
inhumanity  and  heartless  cruelty." 

Lafayette,  who  was  born  a  Roman- 
ist, says:  "If  the  liberties  of  the  Am- 
erican people  are  ever  destroyed,  they 
will  fall  by  the  hands  of  the  Romanish 
clergy." 

Gladstone,  the  grand  old  man,  says: 
"Rome  requires  a  convert  who  joins 
her  to  forfeit  his  moral  and  men- 
tal freedom,  and  to  place  his  loyalty 
and  civil  duty  at  the  mercy  of  an- 
other." 

Abraham  Lincoln,  said:  "As  long 
as  God  gives  me  a  heart  to  feel,  a 
brain  to  think,  or  a  hand  to  execute 
my  will,  I  devote  it  against  that  power 
which  has  attempted  to  use  the  ma- 
chinery of  the  courts  to  destroy  the 
rights  and  character  of  an  American 
citizen.  But  there  is  a  thing  which 
is  very  certain;  it  is,  that  if  the  Am- 
erican people  could  learn  what  I  know 
of  the  fierce  hatred  of  the  generality 
of  the  priests  of  Rome  against  our  in- 
stitutions,  our   schools,   our  most  sa- 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


357 


cred  rights,  and  our  so  dearly  bought 
liberties,  they  would  drive  them  away, 
tomorrow,  from  among  us,  or  would 
shoot  them  as  traitors." 

For    more    information    on    Catholi- 


cism the  reader  is  referred  to  "Ameri- 
canism or  Romanism  which?"  by  John 
T.  Christian;  Hassell's  History  of  the 
Church,  and  "The  Two  Witnesses," 
by  Elder   George   W.   Stewart. 


Baptist  Denomination 


The  Baptists  are  especially  distin- 
guished from  most  other  denomina- 
tions respecting  the  mode  and  sub- 
jects of  baptism.  They  contend  that 
the  ordinance  should  be  administered 
to  believers  only,  and  by  immersion 
only.  The  Baptist  denomination  was 
founded  by  Jesus  during  his  earthly 
ministry.  He  was  the  chief  corner-stone 
and  upon  Him  was  builded  the  Apos- 
tles and  their  doctrine  and  practice. 
All  needful  and  necessary  instruction 
is  given  in  the  four  Gospels,  and  the 
only  standard  teaching  of  His  ministry 
is  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  and  the  in- 
spired Epistles.  For  about  three  cen- 
turies after  Christ  the  Church  Univer- 
sal was  no  doubt  composed  of  Bap- 
tist communities.  During  succeeding 
centuries  the  baptism  of  unconscious 
babes,  and  sprinkling  for  baptism  was 
introduced,  and  though  the  church  was 
corrupted  by  the  doctrine  and  com- 
mandments of  men,  yet  a  careful  study 
of  the  most  learned  and  accurate  his- 
torians proves  the  following  facts: 
"1.  For  three  centuries  Christian 
congregations  subsisted  as  do  the  Bap- 
tists of  today.  2.  They  were  called 
baptized  (Baptists)  churches.  3. 
They  have  continued  in  regular  un- 
broken succession  from  the  Apostles' 
day  to  the  present  century.  4.  They 
have  preserved  the  truth  of  Christ  in 
its  purity.  5.  That  Novatian  was  not 
the  founder  of  the  Novatian  churches. 
6.  The  Apostates  at  Rome  abandoned 
the  true  principles  of  the  church,  and 
separated  from  those  who  persistently 
adhered  to  those  pure  principles.  7. 
The  numerous  churches  maintaining 
the  principles  of  the  apostolic  church, 
stood  with  the  strict  party  at  Rome 
in  opposition  to  heretical  apostates. 
8.  They  remained  in  separate,  inde- 
pendent bodies.  9.  That  those  who 
preserved  the  truth  were  called  Bap- 
tists, Novatians,  Waldenses,  etc." 

See  Moshiem's  History,  Jones's  His- 
tory, Encyclopedia  Britannica,  Ency- 
clopedia of  Religious  Knowledge, 
What  the  World  Believes  Hassell's 
History,  Theodosia  Ernest,  The  Two 
Witnesses,  etc. 

The    following    diagram    of    Church 


History  traces  step  by  step  the  foot- 
steps of  the  flock. 

td 
A.  D. 


80 


100 


200 


300 


400 


500 


600 


700 


800 


900 


1000 


1100 


1200 


1300 


1400 


1500 


1600 


1700 


1800 


1900 


Called  Christians. 


{Cathari  or  Puritans, 
Novationists, 
Donatists, 
Anabaptist. 


Called 


Called 


Called     <^ 


Puritans. 

Novationists, 

Paulicians, 

Acephali, 

Paternines  and 

Anabaptists. 


Paternines, 

Paulicians, 

Petrobrussians, 

Henricians, 

Arnoldists. 

Albigenses  and  Vandois, 

Lollards  and 

Anabaptists. 


Lollards. 

Waldenses, 

Msnnonites. 

Anabaptists  and 

Baptists, 

Hardshells, 

Anti-Missionary  Baptists 

Old  School  Baptists, 

Primitive  Baptists. 


This  Diagram  is  taken  from  Theodosia 
Ernest  and  will  be  quite  helpful  in  pre- 


358 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


senting  at  a  glance  the  names  by  which 
Baptists  have  been  distinguished  in  dif- 
ferent ages  and  countries  from  the  days 
of  the  apostles  to  the  present  time. 


The  four  last  designations  are  added 
to  the  above  list  of  names  because 
they  justly  belonged  there.  Two  of 
these  names,  Hardshells  and  anti- 
missionaries,  they  never  assumed  nor 
acknowledged  as  just,  because  they 
were  applied  to  them  by  way  of  re- 
proach and  contempt.  In  England  the 
Baptists  are  divided  into  the  General, 
who  are  Arminian,  and  the  Particular 
Baptists, — who  are  Calvanistic  in  doc- 
trine. 

In  the  United  States  there  was  but 
one  denomination  of  Baptists  until 
about  1828-'32,  though  for  more  than 
a  quarter  of  a  century  previously 
there  had  been,  from  time  to  time, 
discord  and  contention  in  the  denom- 
ination over  questions  involving  doc- 
trine and  practice.  There  was  in  the 
"Baptist  Family"  an  element  Armin- 
ian in  doctrine  that  contended  for  the 
introduction  of  Missionary  Societies, 
Sunday  schools,  Theological  Semina- 
ries, a  Salaried  Ministry,  etc.,  etc. 
There  was  also  an  element  "'alvan- 
istic  in  doctrine  that  opposed  all  de- 
partures from  Baptist  faith  and  prac- 
tice. The  advocates  of  the  free-will 
theory  seemed  to  lay  much  stress  on 
human  reason  and  policy;  the  pre- 
destinarian  advocates  much  stress  on 
divine  instruction  and  principle.  Thus 
the  contention  continued  until  the 
open  rupture  and  declarations  of  non- 
fellowship  against  Arminianism,  mod- 
ern missionism,  Sunday  schools,,  etc., 
by  the  Kehukee  Association  in  1827, 
and  by  the  convention  of  Baptists 
held  with  Black  Rock  Church,  Balti- 
more, Md.,  in  1832,  known  as  the 
Black  Rock  convention.  The  Arminian- 
element  having  brought  in  and  advo- 
cated the  new  doctrine  and  practices 
were  known  and  recognized  as  the 
new  party;  the  Calvanistic  element 
who  opposed  the  doctrine  and  prac- 
tices new  to  Baptists  were  known  and 
recognized  as  the  old  party.  Both 
parties  contended,  of  course,  that 
they  were  the  original  church,  and 
yet  both  could  not  be.  And  thus 
among  our  own  people,  as  well  as 
among  other  denominations  have 
arisen  cases  of  this  character  where- 
in the  highest  courts  of  this,  and  oth- 
er countries,  have  been  asked  to  de- 
termine who  was  the  original  party: 
and  I  believe  it  has  become  a  settled 
axiom  in  law  "that  those,  whether  a 
minority  or  majority  of  the  congre- 
gation, who  are  adhering  to   the  doc- 


trine professed  by  the  congregation, 
and  the  form  of  worship  in  practice 
before  the  division  is  the  original 
party."  Another  Supreme  jurist  puts 
it  this  way:  "The  title  to  church 
property  oj.  a  divided  congregation  is 
in  the  part  of  it  which  is  acting  in 
harmony  with  its  own  law;  and  the 
ecclesiastical  laws,  usages,  customs 
and  principles  which  were  accepted 
among  them  before  the  dispute  began 
are  the  standard  for  determining 
which  party  is  right." 

This  being  true,  it  can  easily  be 
seen  by  the  unbiased  and  intelligent 
reader  that  those  in  this  dispute  ad- 
hering to  the  predestination  idea,  or 
Calvanistic  doctrine,  and  opposing  the 
introduction  of  all  institutions  of  hu- 
man origin  in  the  church  was  the  old, 
original  party  and  they  assumed  the 
title  of  Primitive  or  Old  School  Bap- 
tists. The  new  party  was  distinguish- 
ed by  the  titles  '"Missionary  Baptist," 
New  School,  and  General  Baptist. 

About  this  time — 1827 — 'Alexander 
Campbell — (see  notice  on  Disciples  of 
Christ  or  Campbellites),  was  also  ex- 
cluded by  the  Red  Stone  Baptist  Asso- 
ciation of  Pa.,  and  became  the  founder 
of  a  new  denomination.  A  quarter  of  a 
century  ago  history  repeated  itself, 
though  to  a  limited  degree,  and  the 
Primitive  of  Old  School  Baptists  of 
Virginia,  Indiana  and  some  other 
states  realized  the  fulfillment  of  the 
apostles'     phophecy    when    he    said: 

"For  I  know  this,  that  after  my  de- 
parting shall  grievous  wolves  enter 
in  among  you,  not  sparing  the  flock. 

"Also  of  your  own  selves  shall  men 
states  realized  the  fulfillment  of  the 
draw  away  disciples  after  them." — 
Acts,   20:29-30. 

The  time  had  come  when  they 
would  not  endure  sound  doctrine,  but 
after  their  own  lusts  began  to  heap  to 
themselves  teachers  having  itching 
ears,  and  to  turn  their  ears  from  the 
truth  (2  Tim.,  4:3-4)  .  Regeneration 
of  God's  people  through  the  preached 
word  became  a  "bone  of  contention." 
"Means  and  Instrumentalities,"  of  hu- 
man origin,  were  -  urged ;  Sunday 
schools  organized  in  Old  School  Bap- 
tist churches,  and  various  efforts 
made  to  "get  the  Old  Baptists  out  of 
the  ruts,"  and  to  make  them  "like  the 
nations  around  them."  This  led  to  a 
division  in  1889-'90,  when  E.  H.  Bur- 
nam  and  those  following  his  leader- 
ship were  excluded  by  the  Primitive 
or  Old  School  Baptists;  since  which 
time  they  have  usually  called  them- 
selves Regular  Baptists,  but  some- 
times Old  School  Baptists.  They  are 
locally  known  as  "Burnamites"  or 
"Burnam   Baptists." 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


359 


But  Christ  says,  "There  needs  must 
divisions  come,  but  woe  unto  him  by 
whom  they  come,"  and  in  this  connec- 
tion I  will  adopt  the  language,  on  a 
similar  subject,  by  Elder  G.  W|.  Stew- 
art, author  of  The  Two  Witnesses: 
"I  wish  to  say  to  my  brethren  every- 
where: 'Be  firm,  gentle,  patient,  kind 
and  loyal  to  your  God  and  to  your 
country  and  to  each  other.  Having 
been  placed  upon  the  Rock,  there, 
with  Bible  in  hand,  you  should  stand, 
content  with  the  beauty,  simplicity, 
and  sublime  excellency  of  the  doc- 
trine and  practice  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  as  exhibited  in  the  apostolic 
churches  and  as  exemplified  in  your 
own  history  in  the  ages  of  the  past, 
and  try  to  so  live  in  this  world  as  to 
merit  and  receive  the  noble  character 
ascribed  to  you  by  the  drummer  and 
others  in  another  chapter,  remember- 
ing that  one  of  the  noblest  banners  you 
can  raise  in  this  skeptical  age  is  an 
honest  and  a  blameless  life  among 
men,  and  if  in  thus  living,  you 
should  suffer  reproach  you  should 
only  rejoice  that  you  are  accounted 
worthy  to  suffer  for  Jesus'  sake. 

"Must  you  be  carried  to  the  skies, 
On  flowery  beds  of  ease, 
While  others  fought  to  win  the  prize, 
And   sailed  through  bloody   seas?" 

Baptists  have  ever  been  loyal  ad- 
vocates of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 
Cathcart  in  his  Baptist  Encyclopedia 
says:  "Had  it  not  been  for  the  Vir- 
ginia Baptists  it  is  probable  that  the 
mother  of  Presidents  would  have  sid- 
ed with  Great  Britain  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war." 

George  "Washington  in  his  reply  to 
a  "committee  of  Virginia  Baptist 
churches,"  which  expressed  to  him 
grave  doubts  about  the  security  of  re- 
ligious liberty  under  the  constitution 
of  the  United  States,  just  adopted, 
said:  "I  recollect  with  satisfaction 
that  the  religious  society  of  which 
you  are  members  has  been  throughout 
America,  uniformly  and  almost  unan- 
imously, the  firm  friends  of  civil  lib- 
erty, and  the  persevering"  promoters 
of  our  glorious  Revolution."  (Writings 
of  George  Washington,  Sparks,  Vol. 
12;    page    154-155.   Boston). 

As  the  position  of  our  people  is 
usually  misunderstood  (especially  on 
the  subjects  of  preaching  the  gospel, 
Sunday  schools,  the  ministry,  etc.), 
and  often  woefully  misrepresented 
we  feel  that  it  would  not  be  out  of 
place  to  conclude  this  subject  with 
an  article  from  the  Western  Record- 
er, published  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Nov. 
17,  1904.  The  Western  Recorder  is  a 
New   School   or   "Missionary"   Baptist 


paper,  and  the  following  is  perhaps 
the  clearest,  fullest,  and  fairest  state- 
ment of  our  position  by  a  member  of 
another  religious  body.  The  writer 
says: 

"A  sister  wishes  me  to  say  what  the 
difference  is  between  the  Hardshell 
and  the  Missionary  Baptists.  In  ans- 
wering this  question  I  shall  tell  what 
some  intelligent  friends  of  mine  twen- 
ty years  ago  told  me  was  their  be- 
lief. It  is  only  just  and  fair  to  let  per- 
sons state  their  own  opinions  and  not 
to  insist  on  taking  as  their  beliefs 
what  their  opponents  say  of  them.  (2). 
I  insist  on  that  very  ardently  when 
Pedobaptists  undertake  to  tell  Bap- 
tist views  and  justice  requires  us  to 
treat  others  as  we  demand  that  we 
shall  be  treated. 

"These  friends  were  much  opposed 
to  Boards,  but  they  insisted  they  be- 
lieved in  preaching  the  gospel  every- 
where. Their  idea  was  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  called  every  preacher,  and  I 
think,  though  I  am  not  sure,  every 
Christian  to  the  place  in  the  world  He 
wished  him  to  live.  If  the  Spirit  call- 
ed one  of  the  church  to  go  to  South 
America,  he  ought  to  tell  the  church 
he  felt  called  to  go  and  ask  for  their 
prayers.  If  any  of  the  other  members 
chose  to  aid  him  with  their  means,  it 
was  well.  If  the  Spirit  did  not  impress 
any  others  with  this  as  a  duty  to  let 
him  go,  settle  down  on  the  field  and 
go  on  with  the  business  he  knew 
best  for  his  own  support.  The  Spirit 
called  Paul  to  Corinth.  Paul  went, 
made  tents  for  a  living  and  preached 
as  he  had  opportunity.  Paul  allowed 
the  Phillippi  church  to  help  support 
him  in  his  work,  but  he  took  no  col- 
lections for  his  own  support.  The  col- 
lections he  took  were  for  the  poor 
saints,  not  for  the  pay  of  preachers  at 
home  or  abroad. 

3.  "They  were  opposed  to  stated  sal- 
aries for  pastors,  but  they  believed  the 
laborer  was  worthy  of  his  pay  (4) 
and  ought  to  be  paid.  Every  church 
ought  to  give  its  pastor  a  good  living, 
but  to  pledge  a  definite  sum  was  to 
make  the  pastor  a  hireling.  They 
were  wrong,  of  course,  for  hirelings 
are  not  made  thus.  But  it  is  unjust  to 
say  'they  opposed  paying  preachers, 
and  in  fact  I  never  knew  a  Hardshell 
preacher  to  suffer  for  the  necessaries 
of  life  even  down  to  extreme  old  age. 

"They  opposed  Sunday  schools  and 
for  three  reasons.  One  was  that  the 
result  would  be  children  would  not  be 
taken  to  church  and  it  would  not  be 
many  years  before  a  generation  would 
grow  up  which  would  not  go  to  church 
because  they  had  not  been  trained  to 
go    from    their    youth.      Another    was 


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APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


that  in  the  Sunday  schools  they  knew 
the  teachers  were  mostly  young  girls 
and  God  had  not  given  the  instruction 
of  children  unto  their  hands.  The 
third,  and  this  tliey  emphasized,  was 
that  God  had  laid  the  duty  of  train- 
ing children  upon  the  parents,  and  es 
pecially  upon  the  fathers.  These 
could  not  shift  their  responsibility  up- 
on Sunday  school  teachers.  The  result 
would  be  that  soon  large  numbers  of 
children  would  receive  no  religious 
instruction  at  all  at  home,  the  hour 
in  Sunday  school  could  not  supply 
the  place  and  a  generation  would 
grow  up  painfully  ignorant  of  the 
Bible  and  of  its  doctrines.  I  combat- 
ted  that  view  zealously  twenty  years 
ago,  but  now  I  am  afraid  there  was 
more  truth  in  their  warnings  than  I 
was  willing  to  admit  at  that  time.  If 
young  men  and  maidens  of  his  ac- 
quaintance who  went  to  Sunday 
school  for  years  'What  is  regenera- 
tion?' 'What  is  justification?'  or  sim- 
ilar questions  about  the  great  vital 
doctrines. 

5.  "It  was  charged  that  they  did  not 
believe  in  an  educated  ministry.  But 
they  did  believe  in  educated  minis- 
ters, but  not  in  educating  ministers. 
They  did  not  think  any  educational 
test  should  be  required  and  believed 
in  ordaining  unlearned  men  if  it  was 
clear  to  the  churches  that  they  were 
apt  to  teach  and  God  had  called  them. 
They  thought  that  when  the  Holy 
Spirit  needed  a  highly  educated  man 
He  could  call  one  already  educated 
as  He  called  Paul.  When  he  needed 
one  who  was  not  learned  in  the 
schools,  He  would  call  fishermen  from 
their  nets  and  tax-gatherers  from  the 
receipt  of  custom.  They  did  not  be- 
lieve  that  God     would     call   boys   in 


their  teens  into  the  ministry,  at  least 
but  very  rarely,  for  they  did  not  limit 
God,  nor  young  men  under  twenty- 
five  often.  They  reasoned  that  what 
was  said  of  bishops  and  elders'  chil- 
dren indicated  that  those  called  to  be 
preachers  would,  as  a  rule,  be  men 
old  enough  to  have  children  of  some 
age. 

If  God  wished  an  uneducated  man  in 
the  ministry,  he  called  one;  if  He 
wished  an  educated  man  he  called  one 
already  educated.  He  would  not — 
with  rare  exceptions,  perhaps — .call 
boys,  and  then  have  the  churches  edu- 
cate them.  The  men  whom  He  had 
elected  for  educated  pastors  by  His 
Providence  and  by  the  Holy  Spirit's 
influence  on  their  minds  He  would 
cause  to  seek  for  an  education  them- 
selves and  after  (6)  they  were  edu- 
cated, He  would  call  them.  They  said 
to  educate  men  for  the  ministry 
would  be  to  pauperize  them,  to  make 
them  look  upon  the  ministry  as  a  pro- 
fession, and,  what  was  worse,  to 
cause  ambitious  young  fellows  desir- 
ous of  getting  an  education  cheap,  to 
claim  to  be  called  when  they  were 
not.  They  said  God  had  positively  for- 
bidden churches  to  have  novices  for 
pastors,  and  they  saw  nothing  in  the 
Bible  to  indicate  that  God  called  men 
to  the  ministry  long  before  they  were 
to  begin.  I  will  not  take  time  to  tell 
my  answer  to  that.  I  am  not  under- 
taking now  to  show  where  the  Hard- 
shells  are  wrong,  for  the  sister  only 
asked  me  to  state  fairly  what  they 
believed.  These  were  the  main  points 
of  difference  between  the  two  denom- 
inations, and  these  axe  positions  oc- 
cupied by  some  well  educated  Hard- 
shells.  Doctrinally  they  hold  to  the 
old  Philadelphia  Confession  of  Faith 
as  strongly  as  we  do." 


The  Old  School  Address  at  Black  Rock 
Convention 


The  first  great  decisive  stand  made 
by  American  Baptists  against  human 
inventions  and  worldly  institutions  as 
being  necessary  for  the  propogation  of 
the  gospel  and  the  salvation  of  men 
was  taken  by  the  churches  of  the  Kehu- 
kee  Association  at  Kehukee,  Halifax 
County,  N.  C.  Monday,  October  8,  1827 
the  messengers  from  the  thirty-five 
churches  then  composing  the  Associa- 
tion unanimously  discarding  and  non- 
fellowshipping  all  Missionary  and  Bible 
Societies  and  Theological  Seminaries 
and  all  members  of  Secret  Societies. 


The  next  great  decisive  stand  made 
by  American  Baptists  against  those 
unscriptural  innovations  was  taken 
September  28th  and  29th,  1832,  at  a 
convention  held  at  Black  Rock,  Bal- 
timore County,  Md.,  in  accordance 
with  a  call  in  a  circular  prepared  and 
published  by  elders  and  brethren  at 
the  preceding  session  of  the  Balti- 
more Association.  The  Old  School  Ad- 
dress made  by  these  elders  and  breth- 
ren is  no  doubt,  the  wisest  and  most 
moderate,  most  complete  and  satis- 
factory  statement   ever   made,   in    so 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


361 


short  a  compass,  of  the  distinctive 
principles  of  the  Primitive  or  Old 
School  Baptists.  Below  is  the  address 
in  full: 

THE  ORIGINAL  OLD  SCHOOL 
ADDRESS. 

Brethren: — It  constitutes  it  a  new 
era  in  the  history  of  the  Baptists, 
when  those  who  would  follow  the 
Lord  fully,  and  who  therefore  mani- 
fest a  solicitude  to  be,  in  all  things 
pertaining  to  religion,  conformed  to 
the  Pattern  showed  in  the  Mount,  are 
by  Baptists  charged  with  antinomian- 
ism,  inertness,  stupidity,  etc.,  for  re- 
fusing to  go  beyond  the  word  of  God. 
But  such  is  the  case  with  us. 

Brethren,  we  would  not  shun  re- 
proach, nor  seek  an  exemption  from 
persecution,  but  we  would  affection- 
ately entreat  those  Baptists  who  re- 
vile us  themselves,  or  who  side  with 
such  as  do,  to  pause,  and  consider 
how  far  they  have  departed  from  the 
principles  of  the  ancient  Baptists,  and 
how  that  in  reproaching  us,  they  stig- 
matize the  memory  of  those  whom 
they  have  been  used  to  honor  as  emi- 
nent and  useful  servants  of  Christ; 
and  of  those  who  have  borne  the 
brunt  of  the  persecutions  levelled 
against  the  Baptists  in  former  ages. 
For  it  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  it 
was  in  ages  past,  a  uniform  and  dis- 
tinguishing trait  in  the  character  of 
the  Baptists,  that  they  required  a 
Thus  saith  the  Lord,  that  is,  direct 
authority  from  the  word  of  God,  for 
the  order  and  practices,  as  well  as  the 
doctrine  they  received  in  religion. 

It  is  true,  that  many  things  to 
which  we  object  as  departures  from 
the  order  established  by  the  Great 
Head  of  the  church,  through  the  min- 
istry of  the  Apostles,  are  by  others 
considered  to  be  connected  with  the 
very  essence  of  religion,  and  absolute- 
ly necessary  to  the  prosperity  of 
Christ  kingdom.  They  attach  great 
value  to  them  because  human 
wisdom  suggests  their  importance.  We 
allow  the  Head  of  the  church  alone 
to  judge  for  us;  we  therefore  esteem 
those  things  to  be  of  no  use  to  the 
cause  of  Christ  which  He  has  not 
Himself  instituted. 

We  will  notice  severally,  the  claims 
of  the  principle  of  these  modern  in- 
ventions, and  state  some  of  our  ob- 
jections to  them,  for  your  candid  con- 
sideration. 

We  commence  with  Tract  Societies. 
These  claim  to  be  extensively  useful. 
Tracts  claim  their  thousands  convert- 
ed. They  claim  the  prerogative  of  car- 
rying the  news  of  salvation  into  holes 


and  corners,  where  the  gospel  would 
otherwise  never  come;  ot  going  as  on 
tne  wings  of  the  wind,  carrying  salva- 
tion in  their  train;  and  they  claim 
each  to  contain  gospel  enough,  should 
it  go  where  the  gospel  has  never 
come,  to  lead  a  soul  to  the  knowledge 
of  Christ.  The  nature  and  extent  of 
these,  and  the  like  claims,  made  in 
favor  of  tracts  by  their  advocates, 
constitute  a  good  reason  why  we 
should  reject  them.  These  claims  rep- 
resent tracts  as  possessing  in  these 
respects,  a  superiority  over  the  Bible, 
and  over  the  intitution  of  the  gospel 
ministry,  which  is  charging  the  great 
I  AM  with  a  deficiency  of  wisdom. 
Yea,  they  charge  God  with  folly;  for 
why  has  He  given  us  the  extensive 
revelation  contained  in  the  Bible,  and 
given  the  Holy  Spirit  to  take  of  the 
things  of  Christ  and  shew  them  to  us, 
if  a  little  tract  of  four  pages  can  lead 
a  soul  to  the  knowledge  of  Christ? 
But  let  us  consider  the  more  rational 
claims  presented  by  others,  in  favor 
of  tracts;  as  they  constitute  a  con- 
venient way  of  disseminating  religious 
instruction  among  the  more  indigent 
and  thoughtless  classes  of  society. 
Admitting  the  propriety  of  this  claim, 
could  it  be  kept  separated  from  the 
other  pretensions,  still  can  we  sub- 
mit to  the  distribution  of  tracts  be- 
coming an  order  of  our  churches,  or 
our  Associations,  without  countenanc- 
ing the  prevalent  idea  that  tracts  have 
become  an  instituted  means  approved 
of  God,  for  the  conversion  of  sinners; 
and  hence  that  the  distribution  of 
them,  is  a  religious  act,  and  on  a 
footing  with  supporting  the  gospel 
ministry? 

If  we  were  to  admit  that  tracts  may 
have  occasionally  been  made  instru- 
mental by  the  Holy  Ghost  for  impart- 
ing instruction  and  comfort  to  inquir- 
ing minds,  it  would  by  no  means  imply 
that  tracts  are  an  instituted  means 
of  salvation,  to  speak  after  the  man- 
ner of  the  popular  religionists,  or  that 
they  should  be  placed  on  a  foot- 
ing with  the  Bible,  and  the  preach- 
ed gospel,  in  respect  to  imparting  the 
knowledge  of  salvation. 

Again,  we  readily  admit  the  pro- 
priety of  an  individual's  publishing 
and  distributing,  or  of  several  individ- 
uals uniting  to  publish  and  distribute 
what  they  wish  circulated,  whether  in 
the  form  of  tracts  or  otherwise;  but 
still  we  cannot  admit  the  propriety  of 
uniting  with,  or  upon  the  plans  of  the 
existing  Tract  Societies,  even  laying 
aside  the  idea  of  their  being  attempt- 
ed to  be  palmed  upon  us  as  religious 
institutions;  because  that  upon  the 
plan     of  these     societies,     those  who 


362 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


unite  with  them  pay  their  money  for 
publishing  and  distributing,  they 
know  not  what,  under  the  name  of 
religious  truth;  and  what  is  worse, 
they  submit  to  have  sent  into  their 
families,  weekly  or  monthly,  and  to 
circulate  among  their  neighbors,  any- 
thing and  everything  for  religious 
reading,  which  the  agent  or  publish- 
ing committee  may  see  fit  to  publish. 
■ — They  thus  become  accustomed  to 
receive  everything  as  good,  which 
comes  under  the  name  of  religion, 
whether  it  be  according  to  the  word 
of  God  or  not;  and  are  trained  to  the 
habit  of  letting  others  judge  for  them 
in  matters  of  religion,  and  are  there- 
fore fast  preparing  to  become  the 
dupes  of  priestcraft.  Can  any  con- 
scientious follower  of  the  Lamb  sub- 
mit to  such  plans?  If  others  can,  we 
cannot. 

Sunday  Schools  come  next  under 
consideration.  These  assume  the  same 
hig"h  stand  as  do  Tract  Societies.  They 
claim  the  honor  of  converting  their 
tens  of  thousands;  of  leading  the  ten- 
der minds  of  children  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  Jesus;  of  being  as  properly 
the  instituted  means  of  bringing  chil- 
dren to  the  knowledge  of  salvation, 
as  is  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  that 
of  bringing  adults  to  the  same  knowl- 
edge, etc.  Such  arrogant  pretentions 
we  reel  bound  to  oppose.  First,  be- 
cause these  as  well  as  the  pretentions 
of  the  Tract  Society  are  grounded  up- 
on the  notion  that  conversion  or  re- 
generation is  produced  by  impressions 
made  upon  the  natural  mind,  by 
means  of  religious  sentiments  instill- 
ed into  it;  and  if  the  Holy  Ghost  is 
allowed  to  be  at  all  concerned  in  the 
thing,  it  is  in  a  way  which  implies 
His  being  somehow  blended  with  the 
instruction,  or  necessarily  attendent- 
upon  it;  all  of  which  we  know 
to  be  wrong. 

Secondly:  Because  such  schools 
never  were  established  by  the  Apos- 
tles, nor  commanded  by  Christ.  There 
were  children  in  the  days  of  the  Apos- 
tles. The  Apostles  possessed  as  great 
a  desire  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  as 
much  love  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  and 
knew  as  well  what  God  would  own  for 
bringing  persons  to  the  knowledge  ol 
salvation,  as  any  do  at  this  day.  "We 
therefore  must  believe  that  if  these 
schools  were  of  God,  we  should  find 
some  account  of  them  in  the  New 
Testament. 

Thirdly:  We  have  exemplified,  in 
the  case  of  the  Pharisees,  the  evil 
consequences  of  instructing  children, 
in  the  letter  of  the  Scripture,  under 
the  notion  that  this  institution  con- 
stitutes   a    saving    acquaintance    with 


the  word  of  God.  We  see  in  that  in- 
stance it  only  made  hypocrites  of  the 
Jews;  and  as  the  Scriptures  declare 
that  Christ's  words  are  spirit  and  life, 
and  that  the  natural  man  receives  not 
the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  we  can 
not  believe  it  will  have  any  better  ef- 
fect on  the  children  of  our  day. 

The  Scriptures  enjoin  upon  parents 
to  bring  up  their  children  in  the  nur- 
ture and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  but 
this,  instead  of  countenancing,  for- 
bids the  idea  of  parents  entrusting 
the  religious  education  of  their  chil- 
dren to  giddy,  unregenerated  young 
persons,  who  know  no  better  than  to 
build  them  up  in  the  belief  that  they 
are  learning  the  religion  of  Christ, 
and  to  confirm  them  in  their  natural 
notions   of  their   own   goodness. 

But  while  we  thus  stand  opposed 
to  the  plan  and  use  of  these  Sunday 
Schools  and  to  the  Sunday  School 
Union,  in  every  point,  we  wish  it  to 
be  distinctly  understood  ,that  we  con- 
sider Sunday  Schools,  for  the  purpose 
of  teaching  poor  children  to  read, 
whereby  they  may  be  enabled  to  read 
the  Scriptures  for  themselves,  in 
neighborhoods  where  there  is  an  oc- 
casion for  them,  and  when  properly 
conducted  without  that  ostentation 
so  commonly  connected  with  them,  to 
be  useful,  and  benevolent  institutions 
worthy  of  the  patronage  of  all  friends 
of  civil  liberty. 

We  pass  to  the  consideration  of  the 
Bible  Society.  We  are  aware,  breth- 
ren, that  this  institution  presents  it- 
self to  the  mind  of  the  Christian  as 
supported  by  the  most  plausible  pre- 
text. The  idea  of  giving  the  Bible 
without  note  or  comment,  to  those 
who  are  unable  to  procure  it  for 
themselves,  is,  in  itself  considered, 
calculated  to  meet  the  approbation 
of  all  who  know  the  importance  of 
the  sacred  Scriptures.  But  under  this 
auspicious  guise,  we  see  reared  in 
the  case  of  the  American  Bible  Socie- 
ty, an  institution  as  foreign  from  any 
thing  which  the  gospel  of  Christ  ^alls 
for,  as  are  the  kingdoms  of  this  world 
from  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  We  see 
a  combination  formed,  in  which  are 
united  the  man  of  the  world,  the 
vaunting  professor,  and  the  humble 
follower  of  Jesus;  the  leading  char- 
acters in  politics,  the  dignitaries  in 
church,  and  from  them  some  of  every 
grade,  down  to  the  poor  servant  girl, 
wbo  can  snatch  from  her  hard  earned 
wages,  fifty  cents  a  year  for  the  priv- 
ilege of  being  a  member.  We  see 
united  in  this  combination,  all  parties 
in  politics,  and  all  sects  in  religion; 
and  the  distinctive  difference  of  the 
one,  and  the  sectarian  barriers  of  the 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


3t>3 


other,  in  part  thrown  aside  to  form 
the  union.  At  the  head  of  this  vast 
body  we  see  placed  a  few  leading 
cha.acters,  who  have  in  their  hands 
the  management  of  its  enormous 
printing  establishment,  and  its  im- 
mense funds;  and  the  control  of  its 
powerful  influence  by  means  of 
agents  and  auxiliaries  to  every  part 
of  the  United  States.  We  behold  its 
anniversary  meetings  converted  into 
a  great  religious  parade,  and  forming 
a  theatre  for  the  orator  who  is  am- 
bitious for  preferment,  either  in  the 
pulpit,  in  the  legislative  hall,  or  at 
the  bar,  to  display  his  eloquence,  and 
elicit  the  cheers  of  the  grave  assemb- 
lage. Now,  brethren,  to  justify  our 
opposition  to  the  Bible  Society,  it  is 
not  necessary  for  us  to  say  tnat  any 
of  its  members  have  manifested  a 
disposition  to  employ  its  power  for 
the  subversion  of  our  liberties.  It  is 
enough  for  us  to  say, 

First,  That  such  a  monstrous  com- 
bination, concentrating  so  much 
power  in  the  hands  of  a  few  individ- 
uals, could  never  be  necessary  for 
supplying  the  destitute  with  Bibles. 
Individual  printing  establishments 
would  readily  be  extended  so  as  to 
supply  Bibles  to  any  amount,  and  in 
any  language  that  might  be  called  for, 
and  at  as  cheap  a  rate,  as  they  have 
ever  been  sold  by  the  Bible  Society. 

Secondly,  That  the  humble  follow- 
ers of  Jesus  could  accomplish  their 
benevolent  wishes,  for  supplying  the 
needy  with  Bibles,  with  more  effect 
and  more  to  their  satisfaction,  by 
managing  the  purchase  and  distribu- 
tion of  them  for  themselves.  And  such 
will  never  seek  popular  applause  by 
having  their  liberality  trumped 
abroad  through  the  medium  of  the 
Bible  Society. 

Thirdly,  That  the  Bible  Society, 
whether  we  consider  it  in  its  money- 
ed foundation  for  membership,  and 
directorship,  its  hoarding  up  of  funds, 
in  its  blending  together  all  distinc- 
tions between  the  church  and  the 
world,  or  in  its  concentration  of  pow- 
er in  an  institution  never  contemplat- 
ed by  the  Lord  Jesus  as  connected 
with  His  kingdom;  therefore  not  a 
command  concerning  it  is  given  in 
the  decree  published,  nor  a  sketch  of 
it  drawn  in  the  pattern  shewed 

Fourthly,  That  its  vast  combination 
of  worldly  power  and  influence  lodg- 
ed in  the  hands  of  a  few,  renders  it  a 
dangerous  engine  against  the  liber- 
ties, both  civil  and  religious,  of  our 
country,  should  it  come  under  the 
control  of  those  disposed  so  to  em- 
ploy it.  The  above  remarks  apply 
with    equal   force    to   the   other   great 


national  institutions,  as  the  Ameri- 
can Tract  Society,  Sunday  School 
Union,  etc  etc. 

We  will  now  call  your  attention  to 
the  subject  of  missions.  Previously  to 
stating  our  objections  to  the  mission 
plans,  we  will  meet  some  of  the  false 
charges  brought  against  us  relative 
to  this  subject,  by  a  simple  and  une- 
quivocal declaration,  that  we  do  re- 
gard as  of  the  first  importance,  the 
command  given  of  Christ,  primarily 
to  His  Apostles,  and  through  them  to 
the  ministers  of  every  age,  to  "Go 
into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature,"  and  do  feel 
an  earnest  desire  to  be  found  acting 
in  obedience  thereunto,  as  the  provi- 
dence of  God  dictates  our  way,  and 
opens  a  door  of  utterance  for  us.  We 
also  believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  in- 
dividuals and  churches,  to  contribute 
acocrding  to  their  abilities,  for  the 
support,  not  only  of  their  pastors, 
but  also  of  those  who  go  preaching 
the  gospel  among  the  destitute;  but 
we  at  the  same  time  contend,  that 
we  have  no  right  to  depart  from  the 
order  which  the  Master  Himself  has 
seen  fit  to  lay  down,  relative  to  the 
ministration  of  the  word.  We  there- 
fore cannot  fellowship  the  plans  for 
spreading  the  gospel,  generally  adopt- 
ed at  this  day  under  the  name  of 
Missions,  because  we  consider  these 
plans  throughout,  a  subversion  of  the 
order  marked  out  in  the  New  Tes- 
tament. 

1st.  In  reference  to  the  medium  by 
which  the  gospel  minister  is  to  be 
sent  forth  to  labor  in  the  field. — 
Agreeably  to  the  prophecy  going  be- 
fore, that  "out  of  Zion  shall  go  forth 
the  law,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord 
from  Jerusalem,"  the  Lord  has  man- 
ifestly established  the  order,  that  the 
ministers  should  be  sent  forth  by  the 
churches;  but  the  mission  plan  is  to 
send  them  out  by  a  mission  society. 
The  gospel  society  or  church,  is  com- 
posed of  baptized  believers;  the  poor 
are  placed  on  an  equal  footing  with 
the  rich,  and  money  is  of  no  consid- 
eration, with  regard  to  membership 
or  church  privileges.  Not  so  with  mis- 
sion societies:  They  are  so  organized 
that  the  unregenerate,  the  enemies 
of  the  cross  of  Christ,  have  equal 
privileges  as  to  membership,  etc.. 
with  the  people  of  God,  and  money 
is  the  principal  consideration;  a  cer- 
tain sum  entitles  to  membership,  a 
larger  sum  to  life  membership,  a 
still  larger  to  directorship,  etc.,  so 
that  their  constitutions,  contrary  to 
the  direction  of  James,  are  partial, 
saying  to  the  rich  man,  Sit  thou  here, 
and    to    the    poor,    Stand    thou    there. 


364 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL,  INFORMATION 


In  Christ's  kingdom,  all  His  subjects 
are  sons,  and  have  equal  rights,  and 
an  equal  voice,  as  well  in  calling  per- 
sons into  the  ministry  as  other 
things. — But  the  mission  administra- 
tion is  all  lodged  in  the  hands  of  a 
few,  who  are  distinguished  from  the 
rest  by  great  swelling  titles,  as  Pres- 
idents, Vice  Presidents,  etc.  Again, 
each  gospel  church  acts  as  the  inde- 
pendent kingdom  of  Christ  in  calling 
and  sending  forth  its  members  into 
the  ministry.  Very  different  from 
this  is  the  mission  order. — The  mis- 
sion community  being  so  arranged 
that  from  the  little  Mite  Society,  on 
to  the  State  Conventions,  and  from 
them  on  to  the  Triennial  Convention 
and  General  Board,  there  is  formed 
a  general  amalgamation,  and  a  con- 
centration of  power  in  the  hands  of 
a  dozen  dignitaries,  who  with  some 
exceptions  have  the  control  of  all  the 
funds  designed  for  supporting  minis- 
ters among  the  destitute,  at  home  and 
abroad,  and  the  sovereign  authority 
to  designate  who  from  among  the 
professed  ministers  of  Christ,  shall 
be  supported  from  these  funds,  and 
also  to  assign  them  the  field  of  their 
labors;  yea,  the  authority  to  appoint 
females,  and  schoolmasters,  and 
printers,  and  farmers,  as  such,  to  be 
solemnly  set  apart  by  prayer  and  the 
imposition  of  hands,  as  missionaries 
of  the  cross,  and  to  be  supported  from 
these  funds. 

2nd.  In  reference  to  ministerial  sup- 
port.— The  gospel  order  is  to  extend 
support  to  them  that  preach  the  gos- 
pel. But  the  mission  plan  is  to  hire 
persons  to  preach.  The  gospel  order 
is  not  to  prefer  one  before  another, 
and  to  do  nothing  by  partiality.  See 
1  Tim.  v.  17-21.  But  the  mission 
boards  exclude  all  from  a  participa- 
tion in  the  benefits  of  their  funds, 
who  do  not  come  under  their  direc- 
tion and  own  their  authority,  how- 
ever regularly  they  might  have  been 
set  apart  according  to  gospel  order 
to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  how- 
ever zealously  they  may  be  laboring 
to  preach  the  gospel  among  the  des- 
titute. And  what  is  more,  these 
boards,  by  their  auxiliaries  and 
agents,  to  scour  every  hole  and  cor^ 
ner,  to  scrape  up  money  for  their 
funds,  that  the  people  think  they 
have  nothing  left  to  give  a  preacher 
who  may  come  among  them  alone  up- 
on the  authority  of  Christ,  and  the 
fellowship  of  the  church. 

Formerly  not  only  did  preachers 
generally  feel  themselves  bound  to 
devote  a  part  of  their  time  to  travel- 
ling and  preaching  among  the  desti- 
tute     but     the     people     also,     among 


whom  they  came  dispensing  the  word 
of  life,  felt  themselves  bound  to  con- 
tribute something  to  meet  their  ex- 
penses. These  were  the  days  when 
Christian  affection  flowed  freely. 
Then  the  hearts  of  the  preachers 
flowed  out  towards  the  people,  and 
the  affections  of  the  people  were 
manifested  towards  the  preachers 
who  visited  them.  There  was  then 
more  preaching  of  the  gospel  among 
the  people  at  large,  according  to  the 
number  of  Baptists,  than  has  ever 
been  since  the  rage  of  missions  com- 
menced. How  different  are  things  now 
from  what  they  were  in  those  by-gone 
days!  Now,  generally  speaking,  per- 
sons who  are  novices  in  the  gospel, 
however  learned  they  may  profess  to 
be  in  the  sciences,  have  taken  the 
field  in  the  place  of  those,  who  hav- 
ing been  taught  in  the  school  of 
Christ,  were  capacitated  to  adminis- 
ter consolation  to  God's  afflicted  peo- 
ple. The  missionary,  instead  of  go- 
ing into  such  neighborhoods  as 
Christ's  ministers  used  to  visit, 
where  they  would  be  most  likely  to 
have  an  opportunity  of  administering 
food  to  the  poor  of  the  flock,  seeks 
the  most  populous  villages  and  towns, 
where  he  can  attract  the  most  atten- 
tion, and  do  the  most  to  promote  the 
cause  of  missions  and  other  popular 
institutions.  His  leading  motive,  judg- 
ing from  his  movements,  is  not  love 
to  souls,  but  love  of  fame;  hence  his 
anxiety  to  have  something  to  publish 
of  what  he  has  done;  and  hence  his 
anxiety  to  constitute  churches,  even 
taking  disaffected,  disorderly,  and,  as 
has  been  the  case,  excluded  persons, 
to  form  a  church,  in  the  absence  of 
better  materials;  and  the  people,  in- 
stead of  glowing  with  affection  for 
the  preacher,  as  such,  feel  burdened 
with  the  whole  system  of  mendican- 
cy, but  have  not  resolution  to  shake 
off  their  oppression,  because  it  is 
represented  so  deistical  to  withhold, 
and  so  popular  to  give. 

Brethren,  we  cheerfully  acknowl- 
edge that  there  have  been  some  hon- 
orable exceptions  to  the  cnaracter  we 
have  here  drawn  of  the  modern  mis- 
sionary, and  some  societies  have  ex- 
isted under  the  name  of  mission  so- 
cieties, which  were  in  some  import- 
ant points  exceptions  from  the  above 
drawn  sketch.  But  on  a  general  scale, 
we  believe  we  have  given  a  correct 
view  of  the  mission  plans  and  opera- 
tions, and  of  the  effects  which  have 
resulted  from  them,  and  our  hearts 
really  sicken  at  the  state  of  things. 
How  can  we  therefore  forbear  to  ex- 
press our  disapprobation  of  the  sys- 
tem   that    has    produced    it? 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


365 


Colleges    and    Theological    Schools, 

next  claim  our  attention.  In  speaking 
of  colleges,  we  wish  to  be  distinctly 
understood,  that  it  is  not  to  colleges, 
or  collegial  education,  as  such,  that 
we  have  any  objection.  We  would 
cheerfully  afford  our  children  such  an 
education,  did  circumstances  warrant 
the  measure.  But  we  object,  in  the 
first  place,  to  sectarian  colleges,  as 
such.  The  idea  of  a  Baptist  college 
and  of  a  Presbyterian  college,  etc., 
necessarily  implies  that  our  distinct 
views  of  church  government,  of  gos- 
pel doctrine,  and  gospel  ordinances, 
are  connected  with  human  ordinances, 
a  principle  which  we  cannot  admit; 
for  we  believe  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
to  be  altogether  a  kingdom  not  of 
this  world.  In  the  second  place,  we 
object  to  the  notion  of  attaching  pro- 
fessorships of  divinity  to  colleges; 
because  this  evidently  implies  that 
the  revelation  which  God  has  made 
of  himself  is  a  human  science,  on  c. 
footing  with  mathematics,  philosophy, 
law,  etc.,  which  is  contrary  to  the 
gospel  tenor  of  revelation,  and  in- 
deed from  the  very  idea  itself  of  a 
revelation. — We  perhaps  need  not 
add,  that  we  have,  for  the  same  rea- 
sons, strong  objections  to  colleges 
conferring  the  degress  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity,  and  to  preachers  receiving 
it.  Thirdly,  we  decidedly  object  to 
persons,  after  professing  to  have  been 
called  to  the  Lord  to  preach  His  gos- 
pel, going  to  a  college  or  academy  to 
fit  themselves  for  that  service.  1st 
Because  we  believe  that  Christ  pos- 
sessed perfect  knowledge  of  His  own 
purposes,  and  of  the  proper  instru- 
ments by  which  to  accomplish  them. 
If  He  had  occasion  for  a,  man  of 
science,  He,  having  power  over  all 
flesh,  will  so  order  it  that  the  indi- 
vidual shall  obtain  the  requisite  learn- 
ing before  He  calls  him  to  His  ser- 
vice, as  was  the  case  with  Saul  of 
Tarsus,  and  others  since;  and  thus 
avoid  subjecting  Himself  to  the  im- 
putation of  weakness.  For  should 
Christ  call  a  person  to  labor  in  the 
gospel  field,  who  was  unqualified  for 
the  work  assigned  him,  it  would 
manifest  Him  to  be  deficient  in 
knowledge,  relative  to  the  proper  in- 
struments to  employ,  or  defective  in 
power  to  provide  them.  2.  Because  we 
believe  that  the  Lord  calls  no  man 
to  preach  His  gospel,  till  He  has 
made  him  experimentally  acquainted 
with  that  gospel,  and  endowed  him 
with  the  proper  measure  of  gifts  suit- 
ing the  gifts  He  designs  him  to  oc- 
cupy; and  the  person  giving  himself 
up  in  obedience  to  the  voice  of  Christ, 
will  find  himself  learning  in  Christ's 


own  school.  But  when  a  person  pro- 
fessedly called  of  Christ  to  the  gos- 
pel ministry,  concludes  that,  in  order 
to  be  useful,  he  must  first  go  and 
obtain  an  academical  education,  he 
must  judge  that  human  science  is  of 
more  importance  in  the  ministry 
than  that  knowledge  or  those  gifts 
which  God  imparts  to  His  servants. — 
To  act  consistently  then  with  his  own 
principles,  he  will  place  his  chief 
dependence  for  usefulness  on  his 
scientific  knowledge,  and  aim  mostly 
to  display  this  in  his  preaching.  This 
person,  therefore,  will  pursue  a  very 
different  course  in  his  preaching  than 
that  marked  out  by  the  great  Apostle 
to  the  Gentiles,  who  determined  to 
know  nothing  among  the  people,  save 
Jesus   Christ   and    Him   crucified. 

As  to  Theological  schools,  we  shall 
at  present  content  ourselves  with 
saying  that  they  are  a  reflection  upon 
the  faithfulness  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
who  is  engaged,  according  to  the 
promise  of  the  Great  Head  of  the 
church,  to  lead  the  disciples  into  all 
truth.  (See  John  xvi.  13.)  Also  that 
in  every  age,  from  the  school  at  Alex- 
andria down  to  this  day  they  have 
been  a  real  pest  to  the  church  of 
Christ.  Of  this  we  could  produce 
abundant  proof,  did  the  limits  of  our 
address    admit   their    insertion. 

Now  T&e  pass  to  the  last  item 
which  we  think  it  necessary  particu- 
larly to  notice,  viz.:  Four  days,  or 
protracted  meetings.  Before  stating 
our  objections  to  these,  however,  we 
would  observe  that  we  consider  the 
example  worthy  to  be  imitated  wnicn 
the  Apostles  set,  of  embracing  every 
opportunity,  consistent  with  proprie- 
ty, for  preaching  the  gospel  wnerever 
they  meet  with  an  assembly,  whether 
in  a  Jewish  synagogue  on  the  seventh 
day,  or  in  a  Christian  assembly  on 
the  first  day  of  the  week.  And  the 
exhortation  to  be  instant  in  season 
and  out  of  season  we  would  gladly 
accept.  Therefore,  whenever  circum- 
stances call  a  congregation  together 
from  day  to  day,  as  at  an  Association 
or  the  like,  we  would  embrace  the  op- 
portunity of  preaching  the  gospel  to 
them  from  time  to  time,  so  often  as 
they  shall  come  together.  But  to  the 
principles  and  plans  of  protracted 
meetings  (distinguishingly  so-called), 
we  do  decidedly  object.  The  principle 
of  these  meetings  we  can  not  fellow- 
ship. Regeneration,  we  believe,  is  ex- 
clusively the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
performed  by  His  divine  power,  at 
His  own  sovereign  pleasure,  accord- 
ing to  the  provisions  of  the  everlast- 
ing covenant.  But  these  meetings  are 
got  up   either  for   the   purpose   of  in- 


366 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


ducing  the  Holy  Spirit  to  regenerate 
multitudes,  who  would  otherwise  not 
be  converted,  or  to  convert  them 
themselves  by  the  machinery  of  these 
meetings,  or  rather  to  bring  them  in- 
to their  churches  by  means  of  excit- 
ing their  animal  feelings,  without  any 
regard  to  their  being  born  again. 
Whichever  of  these  may  be  consider- 
ed the  true  ground  upon  which  these 
meetings  are  founded,  we  are  at  a 
loss  to  know  how  any  person,  who 
has  known  what  it  is  to  be  born  again 
can   countenance   them. 

The  plans  of  these  meetings  are 
equally  as  objectionable.  For,  in  the 
first  place,  all  doctrinal  preaching,  or 
in  other  words,  all  illustrations  of 
God*s  plan  of  salvation  is  excluded 
professedly  from  these  meetings. 
Hence  they  would  make  believers  ot 
their  converts  without  presenting  any 
fixed  truths  to  their  minds  to  be- 
lieve. Whereas  God  has  chosen  His 
people  to  salvation,  through  sancitifi- 
cation  of  the  Spirit,  and  belief  of  the 
truth.   2   Thess.  ii.  13. 

Secondly,  The  leaders  of  these 
meetings  fix  standards  by  which  to 
decide  of  persons'  repentance  and  de- 
sire of  salvation,  which  the  word  of 
God  nowhere  warrants;  such  as  ris- 
ing off  their  seats,  coming  to  anxious 
seats,  or  going  to  a  certain  place,  etc. 
Whereas  the  New  Testament  has  giv- 
en us  a  standard  from  which  we 
have  no  right  to  depart,  viz.,  that  of 
bringing  forth  fruits  meet  for  re- 
pentance. 

Thirdly,  They  lead  the  people  to 
depend  on  mediators  other  than  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  obtain  peace  for 
them,  by  offering  themselves  as  inter- 
cessors, whereas  the  Scriptures  ac- 
knowledge but  the  one  God  and  one 
Mediator. 

Some  may  be  ready  to  enquire 
whether  protracted  meetings,  as  such, 
may  not  with  propriety  be  held,  pro- 
vided they  be  held  without  excluding 
doctrinal  preaching  or  introducing 
any  of  these  new  plans.  However 
others  may  judge  and  act,  we  cannot 
approve  of  such  meetings  for  the  fol- 
lowing reasons: 

1st.  Because  by  appointing  and 
holding  a  protracted  meeting,  as 
such,  although  we  may  not  carry  it  to 
the  same  excess  to  which  others  do, 
yet  as  most  people  will  make  no  dis- 
tinction between  it  and  those  meet- 
ings, where  all  the  borrowed  machin- 
ery from  Methodist  camp  meetings  is 
introduced,  we  shall  generally  be 
considered  as  countenancing  those 
meetings. 

2nd.     Because  the  motives  we  could 


have  for  conforming  to  the  custom  of 
holding  these  newly  invented  meet- 
ings, are  such  as  we  think  can  not 
bear  the  test.  For  we  must  be  in- 
duced thus  to  conform  to  the  reign- 
ing custom,  either  in  order  to  shun 
the  reproach  generally  attached  to 
those  who  will  not  conform  to  what 
is  popular,  or  to  try  the  experiment 
whether  our  holding  a  four  days' 
meeting  will  not  induce  the  Holy 
Ghost  to  produce  a  revival  among  us, 
commensurate  with  the  strange  fire 
kindled  by  others;  or  else  we  must 
be  led  to  this  plan,  from  having  im- 
bibed the  notion  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
is,  somehow,  so  the  creature  of  hu- 
man feelings,  that  He  is  led  to  re- 
generate persons,  by  our  getting  their 
animal  feelings  excited;  and  there- 
fore, that  in  the  same  proportion,  as 
we  can  by  any  measure,  get  the  feel- 
ings of  the  people  aroused,  there  will 
be  a  revival  of  religion.  This  latter 
motive  can  scarcely  be  supposed  to 
have  place  with  any  who  would  not 
go  the  whole  length  of  every  popular 
measure.  But  first.  We  do  not  believe 
it  becoming  a  follower  of  Jesus,  to 
seek  an  exemption  from  reproach  by 
conforming  to  the  schemes  of  men. 
2nd.  We  believe  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
be  too  "  sacred  a  Being  to  be  trifled 
with,  by  trying  experiments  upon 
Him.  And,  3rd.  We  believe  the  Holy 
Ghost  to  be  God.  We  would  as  soon 
expect  that  the  Father  would  be  in- 
duced to  predestinate  persons  to  the 
adoption  of  children,  by  their  feel- 
ings being  excited,  and  the  Son  be 
induced  to  redeem  them,  as  that  the 
Holy  Ghost  would  be  thus  induced  to 
quicken  them.  These  Three  are  One. 
The  purposes  of  the  Father,  the  re- 
demption of  the  Son,  and  the  regen- 
erating power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
must  run  in  perfect  accordance,  and 
commensurate,  one  with  the  other. 

Brethren,  we  have  thus  laid  before 
you  some  of  our  objections  to  the 
popular  schemes  in  religion,  and  the 
reasons  why  we  cannot  fellowship 
them.  Ponder  these  things  well. 
Weigh  them  in  the  balances  of  the 
sanctuary;  and  then  say  whether 
they  are  not  such  as  justify  us  in 
standing  aloof  from  those  plans  of 
men.  and  those  would-be  religious  so- 
cieties, which  are  bound  together,  not 
by  the  fellowship  of  the  gospel,  but 
by  certain  moneyed  stipulations.  If 
you  can  not  withdraw  yourselves 
from  those  things  which  the  word  of 
God  does  not  warrant,  still  allow  us 
the  privilege  to  obey  God  rather  than 
man. 

There  is,  brethren,  one  radical  dif- 
ference   between    us    and    those    who 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


367 


advocate  these  various  institutions 
which  we  have  noticed,  to  which  we 
wish  to  call  your  attention.  It  is  this: 
They  declare  the  gospel  to  be  a  sys- 
tem of  means;  these  means  it  ap- 
pears they  believe  to  be  of  Human 
contrivance,  and  they  act  according- 
ly. But  we  believe  the  gospel  dispen- 
sation to  embrace  a  system  of  faith 
and  obedience,  and  we  would  act  ac- 
cording to  our  belief.  Wle  believe,  for 
instance,  that  the  seasons  of  declen- 
sion, of  darkness,  of  persecution,  etc., 
to  which  the  church  of  Christ  is  at 
times  subject,  are  designed  by  the 
wise  Dispenser  of  all  events — not  for 
calling  forth  the  inventive  geniuses 
of  men  to  remove  the  difficulties,  but 
for  trying  the  faith  of  'God's  people 
in  His  wisdom,  power  and  faithful- 
ness to  sustain  His  church.  On  Him, 
therefore,  would  we  repose  our  trust, 
and  wait  for  his  hour  of  deliver- 
ance, rather  than  rely  upon  an  arm  of 
flesh.  Are  we  called  to  the  ministry, 
although  we  may  feel  our  own  insuf- 
ficiency for  the  work,  as  sensibly  as 
do  others,  yet  we  would  go  forward 
in  the  path  of  duty  marked  out,  be- 
lieving that  God  is  able  to  accomplish 
His  purposes  by  such  instruments  as 
He  chooses;  that  He  "hath  chosen 
the  foolish  things  of  the  world  to  con- 
found the  wise,  and  the  weak  things 
of  the  world  to  confound  the  mighty; 
and  base  things,  etc.,  hath  God  chos- 
en, that  no  flesh  should  glory  in  His 
presence."  Though  we  may  not  enjoy 
the  satisfaction  of  seeing  multitudes 
flocking  to  Jesus  under  our  ministry, 
yet  instead  of  going  in  to  Hagar,  to 
accomplish  the  promises  of  God,  or 
of  resorting  to  any  of  the  contriv- 
ances of  men  to  make  up  the  defi- 
ciency, we  would  still  be  content  to 
preach  the  word,  and  would  be  in- 
stant in  season  and  out  of  season; 
knowing  it  has  pleased  God,  not  by 
the  wisdom  of  men,  but  by  the  fool- 
ishness of  preaching  to  save  them 
that  believe. — And  that  His  word  will 
not  return  unto  Him  void,  but  it  shall 
accomplish  that  which  He  pleases, 
and  prosper  in  the  thing  whereunto 
He  sent  it.  Faith  in  God,  instead  Q$ 
leading  us  to  contrive  ways  to  ac- 
complish His  purposes,  leads  us  to  in- 
quire what  He  hath  required  at  our 
hands,  and  to  be  satisfied  with  doing 
that  as  we  find  it  pointed  out  in  His 
word;  for  we  know  that  His  pur- 
pose shall  stand,  and  He  will  do  ail 
His  pleasure.  Jesus  says,  Ye  believe 
in  God,  believe  also  in  Me.  We  be- 
lieve in  the  power  of  God  to  accom- 
plish His  purposes,  however  con- 
trary things  may  appear  to  work  to 
your   expectations.    So   believe   in   My 


power  to  accomplish  the  great  work 
of1  saving  My  people.  In  a  word,  as 
the  dispensation  ot  God  by  the  nand 
of  Moses,  in  bringing  Israel  out  of 
Egypt  and  leading  them  through  the 
wilderness,  was  from  first  to  last  cal- 
culated to  try  Israel's  faith  in  God — 
so  is  the  dispensation  ot  Goo  by  His 
Son,  in  bringing  His  spiritual  Israel 
to  be  a  people  to  Himself. 

There  being,  then,  this  radical  dif- 
ference between  us  and  the  patrons 
of  these  modern  institutions,  the 
question  which  has  long  since  been 
put  forth,  presents  itself  afresh  for 
our  consideration,  in  all  its  force, 
"Can  two  walk  together  except  they 
be  agreed?"  We  believe  that  many 
who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  are 
engaged  in  promoting  those  institu- 
tions which  they  acknowledge  to  be 
of  modern  origin;  and  they  are  pro- 
moting them  too  as  religious  institu- 
tions; whereas,  if  they  would  reflect 
a  little  on  the  origin  and  nature  of 
the  Christian  religion,  they  must  be, 
liive  us,  convinced  that  this  religion 
must  remain  unchangeably  the  same 
at  this  day  as  we  find  it  delivered  in 
the  New  Testament.  Hence  that  any 
thing,  however  highly  it  may  be  es- 
teemed among  men,  which  is  not 
found  in  the  New  Testament,  has  no 
just  claim  to  be  acknowledged  as  be- 
longing to  the  religion  or  religious 
institutions  of  Christ. 

With  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  in  truth,  and  walk  according 
to  Apostolic  traditions,  and  gospel 
order,  we  would  gladly  meet  in 
church  relation,  and  unite  in  the  wor- 
ship and  service  of  God,  as  He  Him- 
self has  ordered  them.  But  if  they 
will  persist  in  bringing  those  institu- 
tions for  which  they  can  show  us  no 
example  in  the  New  Testament,  into 
the  churches  or  Associations,  and  :n 
making  them  the  order  thereof,  we 
shall  for  conscience'  sake,  be  com- 
pelled to  withdraw  from  the  disorder- 
ly walk  of  such  church,  Association, 
or  individuals,  that  we  may  not  suffer 
our  names  to  pass  as  sanctioning 
those  things  for  which  we  have  no 
fellowship.  And  if  persons  who  would 
pass  for  preachers,  will  come  to  us. 
bringing  the  messages  of  men,  etc., 
a  gospel  which  they  have  learned  in 
the  schools  instead  of  that  gospel 
which  Christ  Himself  commits  unto 
His  servants,  and  which  is  not  learn- 
ed of  men;  they  must  not  be  sur- 
prised that  we  cannot  acknowledge 
them  as  ministers  of  Christ. 

Now,  brethren,  addressing  our- 
selves to  you  who  profess  to  be,  in 
principle,  Particular  Baptists,  of  the 
"Old  School,"  but  who  are  practicing 


368 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


such  things  as  you  have  learned  only 
from  a  New  School,  it  is  for  you  to 
say,  not  us,  whether  we  can  longer 
walk  in  union  with  you.  We  regret, 
and  so  do  you,  to  see  brethren  pro- 
fessing the  same  faith,  severing 
apart.  But  if  you  will  compel  us  either 
to  sanction  the  traditions  and  inven- 
tions of  men,  as  of  religious  obligation, 
or  to  separate  from  you  the  sin  lieth  at 
your  door.  If  you  meet  us  in  churches 
to  attend  only  to  the  order  of  Christ's 
house  as  laid  down  by  Himself,  and 
in  Associations  upon  the  ancient  prin- 
ciples of  Baptist  Associations,  i.  e., 
as  an  Association  of  churches  for 
keeping  up  a  brotherly  correspond- 
ence one  with  the  other,  that  they 
may  strengthen  each  other  in  the 
good  ways  of  the  Lord,  instead  of 
turning  the  Association  into  a  kind  of 
legislative  body,  formed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  contriving  plans  to  help  along 
the  work  of  Christ,  and  for  imposing 
those  contrivances  as  burdens  upon 
the  churches,  by  resolutions,  etc.,  as 
is  the  manner  of  some,  we  can  still 
go  on  with  you  in  peace  and  fellow- 
ship. 


Thus,  brethren,  our  appeal  is  be- 
fore you.  Treat  it  with  contempt  if 
you  can  despise  the  cause  for  which 
we  contend,  i.  e.,  conformity  to  the 
word  of  God.  But  indulge  us,  we  be- 
seech you,  so  far  at  least,  as  at  our 
request  to  sit  down  and  carefully 
count  the  cost  on  both  sides,  and  see 
whether  this  shunning  reproach  by 
conforming  to  men's  notions,  will  not 
in  the  end  be  a  much  more  expensive 
course,  than  to  meet  reproach  at 
once,  by  honoring  Jesus  as  your  only 
King,  choosing  rather  to  suffer  afflic- 
tion with  the  people  of  God,  than  to 
enjoy  the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  sea- 
son. And  rebellion,  you  know,  is  as 
the  sin  of  witchcraft. 

'May  the  Lord  lead  you  to  judge 
and  act  upon  this  subject  as  you  will 
wish  you  had  done,  when  you  come  to 
see  the  whole  mass  of  human  inven- 
tions in  connection  with  the  Man  of 
Sin,  driven  away  like  the  chaff  of  the 
summer  threshing  floor,  and  that 
stone  which  was  cut  out  without 
hands  alone  filling  the  earth.  We  sub- 
scribe ourselves  your  servants  for 
Jesus'   sake. 


World's  Population— Religious  and 
Otherwise 


The  population  of  the  world  in  1885 
was  supposed  to  be  1,500,000,000,  and 
the  numbers  of  those  professing  the 
different  religions  are  reckoned  as 
follows: 

Christians    ,. .  410,000,000 

Jews    7,000,000 

Mohammedans     200,000.000 

Brahminists    175,000,000 

Buddhists    340,000,000 

Taoists     60,000,000 

Confucionists 80,000,000 

Shintoists    14.000.000 

Other  Pagans    214,000,000 


1,500,000,000 
The    410,000,000    nominal    Christian 
population,  is  divided  as  follows: 

Roman   Catholics    200.000,000 

Greek   Catholics    90.000,000 

Protestant     120,000,000 


410,000,000 
And  the  120.000,000  Protestants  are 
subdivided  as  follows: 

Lutherans     i 43.000,000 

Episcopalians     20,000.000 

Presbyterians     10.000.000 

Congregationalist      4,000.000 

Baptist  (including  Disciples)  16,000,000 


Methodist    20,000,000 

Other  minor  sects   5,000,000 


120,000,000 

Of  this  120,000.000  Protestants  of 
the  world  about  20,200,000  reside  in 
the  United  States  of  America  and 
were,  according  to  the  United  States 
Government  census  report  in  1890, 
divided   as   follows: 

Adventists    (6  bodies)    60,491 

*Baptists   (13  bodies)    3,712,468 

Brethren,  River  (3  bodies) . . .        3,427 
Brethren,  Plymouth    (4  bodies)     6  661 

Catholics    (7   bodies)    6,257,871 

Catholic  Apostolic    1,394 

Chinese  temples,  47. 

Christadelphians     1,277 

Christians    (2    bodies)     103,722 

Christian  Missionary  Ass'n  . .  754 

Christian    Scientists     8,724 

Christian  Union    18,214 

Church  of  God  (Winebrenner- 

ian)     22,511 

Church    Triumphant    (Schwe- 

infurth)      384 

Church  of  New  Jerusalem...        7,095 
Communistic        Societies      (S 

bodies)    4,049 

Congregationalists    512,771 

Disciples  of  Christ    641,051 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


369 


Dunkards  (4  bodies)   73,795 

Evangelical    Association    ....    133,313 

Friends    (4  bodies)    107,208 

Friends   of  the  Temple 340 

German    Evangelical    Protest- 
ants           36,156 

German  Evangelical    Synod..    187,432 
Jewish       Congregations        (2 

bodies)     130,496 

Latter-day  Saints  (Mormons), 

(2    bodies)     166,125 

Lutherans    and      independent 

congregations    (16   bodies)  .1,231,072 

Mennonites    (12    bodies) 41,541 

Methodists     17   bodies) 4,589,284 

Moravians     11,781 

Presbyterians    (12    bodies) ..  .1,278,332 


Protestant        Episcopal        (2 

bodies)    540,509 

Reformed   (3  bodies)    309,458 

Salvation   Army    8,742 

Schwenkfeldians     306 

Social   Brethren    913 

Society   Ethical   Culture 1,064 

Spiritualists     45,030 

Theosophical   Society    695 

United   Brethren    (2   bodies) .  225,281 

Unitarians     67,749 

Universalists    49,194 

Independent    Congregations..  14,126 

Total    number 20,212,805 

*For  statistics  of  Primitive  or  Old 
School  Baptists  per  states,  see  arti- 
cle "Our  Funeral — Some  Facts  and 
Statistics"  in  this  work. 


Some  Old  Churches 


The  Welsh  Tract  Church,  whose 
meeting  house  is  two  miles  from 
Newark,  in  New  Castle  County,  Del., 
is  the  oldest  Old  School  Baptist  Church 
in  the  United  States,  and  the  only 
American  Baptist  Church  that  was 
regularly  organized  in  Europe  before 
emigrating  to  this  country.  It  was 
constituted  in  the  spring  of  1701,  by 
sixteen  Baptists  in  the  counties  of  I 
Pembroke  and  Caermarthen,  in  South 
Wales,  with  Thos.  Griffith,  one  of  I 
their  number,  as  their  pastor.  They 
landed  at  Philadelphia  September  8, 
1701.  The  house  of  worship  they  built 
stood  until  1746,  and  was  then  suc- 
ceeded by  the  present  substantial 
stone   house   of  worship. 


The  second  oldest  Old  School  Baptist 
Church,  is  Hopewell,  in  a  village 
of  the  same  name,  in  Mercer 
County,  N.  J.  This  church  was  or- 
ganized in  1715  and  through  all  the 
succeeding  years  has  stood  firm  on 
the  fundamental  principles  of  doc- 
trine and  practice  of  the  apostolic 
church.  Elder  John  Gano,  who  was 
a  chaplain  in  Washington's  army 
during  the  revolutionary  struggle,  and 
who,  it  is  claimed  by  some — (though 
without  any  substantial  proof), — bap- 
tized Washington  in  the  Potomac 
river  during  the  war,  was  a  member 
of  this  church.  Elder  F.  A.  Chick  is 
the  present  pastor. 


The    third      oldest      church    of    the 
Primitive      or    Old    School      order    is 


Kehukee,  located  in  Halifax  County, 
N.  C,  which  is  considered  the  mother 
of  the  Kehukee  Association,  and 
was  constituted  in  1742.  Elder  A.  J. 
Moore  is  present  pastor. 


Mill  Creek  Church  in  Page  County, 
Va.,  was,  according  to  Simple's  His- 
tory, organized  in  1743,  and  has  ever 
remained  true  to  the  doctrine  of 
grace  and  the  practice  of  the  apostol- 
ic church  in  opposition  to  modern 
missions,  Sunday  schools,  etc.  Elder 
T.  S.  Dalton,  is  at  present,  pastor 
with  a  membership  of  eighty-five. 


Southampton  Church,  in  Bucks 
County,  Pa.,  was  constituted  in  1746 
and  is  perhaps  the  fifth  oldest  church 
of  apostolic  faith  and  order  and  is 
now  served  by  Elder  Silas  H.  Durand. 


Among  other  old  churches  in  Vir- 
ginia should  be  mentioned  Thumb 
Run  (1772,  Elder  T.  S.  Dalton,  pres- 
ent pastor) ;  Happy  Creek  (1783,  Eld- 
er T.  S.  Dalton,  present  pastor), 
Water  Lick  (1787,  Elder  A.  J.  Gar- 
land, present  pastor) ;  North  Fork, 
(1787,  Elder  J.  A.  Norton,  present 
pastor) ;  Goose  Creek  (1775,  Elder  A. 
J.  Garland,  present  pastor)  and  Chap- 
pawamsick  (1767,  Elder  J.  T.  Alexan- 
der, present  pastor). 


370 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


Baptist  Associations 


These  are  annual  meetings  for  the 
worship  of  God — for  singing,  prayer, 
preaching,  and  to  hear  from  sister 
churches  of  the  same  faith  and  or- 
der how  they  are  getting  along.  We 
think  there  is  scriptural  authority  for 
a  meeting  of  this  kind.  It  is  neces- 
sary that  the  gospel  be  preached  and 
this  would  be  an  opportune  time  for 
doing  so.  Besides,  we  are  commanded 
not  to  "forsake  the  assembling  of  our- 
selves together,  as  the  manner  of 
some  is;  but  exhort  one  another;  and 
so  much  the  more,  as  ye  see  the  day 
approaching;"  Heb.  x,  25.  The  apostle 
well  knew  the  tendency  of  human  na- 
ture,, the  vain  enticements  of  this 
sinful  world,  the  craftiness  of  Satan, 
our  enemy,  who  deceived  our  first 
parents  with  a  lie,  and  who  would 
deceive  us  with  the  same.  Let  us  not 
despise  his  admonition,  but  heed  it. 

Elder  Hassell,  in  his  church  histo- 
ry refers  to  the  ancient  custom  of  tne 
Jews,  who  were  required  to  appear 
together  before  the  Lord,  at  the  Tab- 
ernacle, or  temple,  and  make  an  of- 
fering with  a  joyful  heart,  and  he 
says:  "God's  object  was  to  promote, 
in  this  way,  the  religious  zeal  and 
knowledge  and  union  of  His  covenant 
people,  to  bring  them  frequently  to- 
gether in  loving  brotherly  fellowship 
for  the  worship  of  God — the  very 
same  object  that  is  now  beautifully 
and  pleasantly  subserved  by  the  fre-. 
quent  assemblies  of  the  people  of  God 
in  their  quarterly,  yearly,  union,  cor- 
responding, and  associational  meet- 
ings."Hassell's  Church  History,  p.  94. 
The  name  by  which  you  may  call  a 
thing  in  no  sense  changes  it  nature 
or  character.  Our  associational  meet- 
ings are  for  the  identical  purpose 
here  assigned,  and  are  conducted  to 
the  same  end. 

The  first  Baptist  Association  was 
formed  in  Wales,  in  1649. — Gospel 
Messenger,  vol.  28,  p.  126,  April,  1906. 
This  date  places  the  organization  of 
the    first   Baptist    association   too   far 


back  by  one  hundred  and  forty-three 
years  for  it  to  have  been  of  Mission- 
ary   Baptist    origin. 

The  government  of  our  churches  by 
associations  would  be  wrong,  hurtful, 
and  unscriptural.  Primitive  Baptist 
churches  will  not  submit  to  sucn  an  un- 
unscripturai  system.  A  sound  gospel 
church  of  good  standing  may  or  may 
not  belong  to  an  association  without  af- 
fecting her  standing  in  the  least.  Any 
general  meeting  of  the  saints — yearly 
meeting  and  associations — should  on- 
ly be  for  the  worship  of  God,  mutual  ed- 
ification and  promotion  of  brotherly 
love.  There  may  be  some  things  con- 
nected with  the  business  part  of  our 
associations  that  could  be  better  at- 
tended to  some  other  way — by  the 
church  with  which  the  association 
convenes.  This  is  now  practiced  by 
some  of  our  sound  and  orderly 
churches  and  gives  entire  satisfaction. 
But  to  condemn  the  purpose  of  such 
general  meeting  for  the  worship  of 
God  is  wrong,  and  only  tends  to  en- 
gender strife,  confusion,  and  divi- 
sion. Let  us  stand  fast  in  the  liberty 
wherewith  Christ  has  made  us  free, 
and  be  not  misled  by  any  man  in 
these  restless  times." — R.  W.  Thmp- 
son  in  Primitive  Monitor. 

There  were,  in  1885,  231  Primitive 
or  Old  School  Baptist  Associations  in 
the  United  States  distributed  as  fol- 
lows: 23  in  Alabama,  10  in  Arkansas, 
1  in  California,  1  in  Delaware,  3  in 
Florida,  21  in  Georgia,  22  in  Illinois, 
19  in  Indiana,  6  in  Iowa,  5  in  Kansas, 
12  in  Kentucky,  4  in  Louisiana,  2  in 
Maine,  2  in  Maryland,  11  in  Mississippi, 
16  in  Missouri,  1  in  New  Jersey,  2  in 
New  York,  19  in  North  Carolina,  14  in 
Ohio,  1  in  Oregon,  4  in  Pennsylvania, 
3  in  South  Carolina,  8  in  Tennessee, 
9  in  Texas,  7  in  Virginia,  4  in  West 
Virginia,   1   in   Wisconsin, — total    231. 

The  Kehukee  (of  North  Carolina), 
the  oldest  Primitive  Baptist  Associa- 
tion was  organized  in  1765;  the  Ke- 
tocton  (of  Virginia),  in  1766,  and  the 
Red  Stone   (of  Pennsylvania),  in  1776. 


Union  Meetings 


"The  most  innocent,  delightful,  and 
edifying  general  meetings  that  I 
know  of  are  such  union  meetings  as 
we  have  in  Eastern  North  Carolina. 
These  union  meetings  are  composed 
of   from    half    a    dozen   to    two    dozen 


churches,  and  generally  meet  on 
every  fifth  Sunday,  with  one  or  two 
days  preceding, — thus  occurring  four 
or  five  times  a  year.  They  have  no 
connection  at  all  with  Associations. 
They    do    not    exercise     the    slightest 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


371 


authority  over  the  churches  or  over 
other  unions  or  associations.  In  the 
brief  conference  held  on  Friday  or 
Saturday,  the  pastor  of  the  church 
with  which  the  union  convenes  is  the 
moderator;  and  he  and  the  clerk  of 
the  umon  and  two  members  of  that 
church  appointed  by  the  moderator 
form  a  committee  to  decide  which  of 
the  ministers  present  shall  preacn, 
and  on  what  day;  and  the  conference 
decides  where  the  next  union  shall 
be  held — the  churches  that  desire  the 
next  session  petitioning  for  it,  and 
the  conference  generally  giving  it  to 
the  church  that  has  the  oldest  peti- 
tion. Sometimes  a  messenger  or  two 
is  received  from  another  union,  and 
sometimes  a  member  or  two  who  vol- 
unteers to  go  is  appointed  a  messen- 


ger to  another  union,  though  this 
seems  unnecessary.  No  other  busi- 
ness is  done.  The  minutes  of  the 
meeting  are  not  published.  There  are 
not  such  crowds  as  at  associations. 
Tne  time  is  pleasantly  and  profitably 
occupied  in  conversation,  singing, 
praying,  and  preaching.  Sometimes 
we  are  favored  with  the  presence 
of  ministers  from  other  unions  and 
other  states.  The  services  close  with 
communion  on  Sunday.  There  are  no 
controversies,  jars,  or  discords;  but 
all  is  humility  and  love  and  peace  and 
joy  in  the  Lord.  These  union  meet- 
ings are  little  heavens  on  earth.  I 
would  be  glad  to  attend  one  every 
day  of  my  life." 

SYLVESTER   HASSELL, 
In  Gospel  Messenger. 


Our  Saturday  and  Sunday  Meetings 


Q.  Are  there  any  special  reasons 
why  our  churches  uniformly  set 
apart,  for  meeting  days,  one  Satur- 
day and  Sunday  of  each  month?  How 
long  has  it  been  so?  Is  it  the  custom 
in  European  countries?  A.  The 
custom  seems  to  have  originated 
among  the  Apostles  after  the  resur- 
rection of  Christ.  They  still  met  with 
the  Jews  in  their  synagogues  on  the 
Jewish  Sabbath,  which  was  Saturday, 
in  order  to  preach  to  the  Jews;  and 
they  then  began  to  meet  also  on  Sun- 
day, the  first  day  of  the  week,  called 
the   Lord's   Day,   because   Christ   rose 


from  the  dead  on  that  day.  One  rea- 
son why  the  Baptists  have  kept  up 
the  practice  is  because,  having  more 
churches  than  pastors,  and  tne  pas- 
tor, coming  from  a  distance  and  be- 
ing able  to  be  with  the  churcn  only 
one  Sunday  in  the  month,  preaches 
for  the  church  two  days  instead  of 
one.  Where  a  minister  preaches  for 
the  same  church  every  Sunday,  it  is 
not  customary  to  hold  a  meeting  on 
Saturday,  unless  it  be  an  experience 
or  business  meeting.  I  do  not  think 
that  Saturday  meetings  are  usual  in 
European  countries. — S.  Hassell  in 
Gospel  Messenger. 


Missions 


With  regard  to  the  Bible  plan  of 
missions,  Primitive  or  Old  School 
Baptists  are  missionaries;  with  re- 
gard to  the  modern  mission  plan  they 
are  anti-missionaries. 

Following  is  the  Bible  plan,  and  it 
is  perfect  in  all  of  its  details  though 
men  may  say  it  is  not: 

"These  twelve  Jesus  sent  forth, 
and  commanded  them,  saying,  Go  not 
into  the  way  of  the  Gentiles,  and  in- 
to any  city  of  Samaritans  enter  ye 
not: 

"But  go  rather  to  the  lost  sheep  of 
the  house  of  Israel. 

"And  as  ye  go,  preach,  saying,  The 
kingdom   of  heaven   is   at  hand. 

"Heal  the  sick,  cleanse  the  lepers, 
raise  the  dead,  cast  out  devils;  freely 
ye  have  received,  freely  give. 


"Provide  neither  gold,  nor  silver, 
nor  brass  in  your  purses; 

"Nor  scrip  for  your  journey,  neith- 
er two  coats,  neither  shoes,  nor  yet 
staves:  for  the  workman  is  worthy  of 
his   meat. 

"And  into  whatsoever  city  or  town 
ye  shall  enter,  inquire  who  in  it  is 
worthy;  and  there  abide  till  ye  go 
thence. 

"And  when  ye  come  into  a  house, 
salute   it. 

"And  if  the  house  be  worthy,  let 
your  peace  come  upon  it;  but  if  it  be 
not  worthy,  let  your  peace  return  to 
you. 

"And  whosoever  shall  not  receive 
you,  nor  hear  your  words,  when  ye 
depart     out     of  that     house,  or   city, 


372 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


shake  off  the  dust  of  your  feet." — 
Matt.    10:    5-14. 

"Then  the  eleven  disciples  went 
away  into  Galilee,  into  a  mountain 
where  Jesus  had   appointed   them. 

"And  when  they  saw  him,  they  wor- 
shipped him:    but   some    doubted. 

"And  Jesus  came  and  spake  unto 
them,  saying,  All  power  is  given  un- 
to me  in  heaven  and  earth. 

"Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  na- 
tions, baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost: 

"Teaching  them  to  observe  all 
things  whatsover  I  have  commanded 
you;  and,  lo,  I  am  with  you  alway, 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world. 
Amen."— Matt.    28:16-20. 

Thus  we  see  that  the  Bible  plan  is 
Jesus  sends,  while  the  modern  plan 
is  the  church,  boards  or  societies 
send.  The  Bible  plan  is  Jesus  calls, 
qualitfies  and  sustains  his  ministering 
servants.  The  modern  plan  with  its 
worldly  allurements  and  "zeal  with- 
out knowledge"  no  doubt  call's  many, 
certainly  undertakes  by  its  theological 
schools  to  qualify  them,  and  must  of 
necessity  sustain  them  with  "gold  and 
silver"  to  keep  them  in  the  field,  for 
those  among  whom  they  labor  will 
not  do  it.  The  Bible  plan  is  that  the 
minister  should  make  no  charge  for 
his  labor,  for  "freely  ye  have  receiv- 
ed, freely  give."  The  modern  plan  is 
"at  great  expense  ye  have  received 
(your  training,  etc.),  therefore  charge 
fat  salaries  for  your  service."  The 
Bible  plan  is  that  the  minister  is  to 
reap  "carnal  things"  from  those  to 
whom  he  sows  "spiritual  things," — 
therefore  "go  trusting  Jesus."  The 
modern  plan  is  trust  not  Jesus,  but 
trust  the  missionary  boards,  societies 
and  churches  and  reap  from  them  for 
your  sowing  among  "the  heathen." 
The  Bible  plan  is  that  as  you  go  if 
they  received  you  "abide  there,"  and 
if  they  "shall  not  receive  you,  nor 
hear  your  words"  *  *  *  "depart 
out  of  that  house."  The  modern  plan 
is  "if  they  will  not  receive  you,  stand 
your  ground,  contend  with  them,  and 
we  will  call  upon  'Our  Christian  Na- 
tions' to  protect  you  with  their  stand- 
ing armies  and  war  vessels."  One  is 
a  divine  plan — a  religion  of  love,  that 
looks  to  Jesus  for  guidance  and  the 
God  of  heaven  for  protection;  the 
other  a  human  plan, — a  religion  of 
force,  that  looks  to  men  for  guidance 
and  rulers  of  the  earth  for  protection. 
The  "Macedonian  cry"  to  the  serv- 
ants of  God,  was  "Come  over  and 
help  us;"  the  "heathen"  cry  to  mod- 
ern missionaries  is,  "Let  us  alone." 
The  one  is  the  reasonable  system  of 


teaching  those  whom  the  Lord  has 
made  alive  "to  observe  all  things 
whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you;" 
the  other  the  unreasonable  system  of 
teaching  the  dead  to  have  life  and  to 
observe  many  of  the  commandments 
of  men.  The  one  is  "for  the  perfect- 
ing of  the  saints,"  and  "for  the  edify- 
ing of  the  body  of  Christ;'  the  other 
for  the  making  of  saints  and  the  add- 
ing to  the  body  of  Christ.  The  Bible 
plan  is  right, — the  conflicting  modern 
plan  is  wrong,  and  Primitive  or  Old 
School  Baptists,  regardless  of  the 
taunts  and  revilings  of  men,  prefer  to 
trust  God's  plan  of  faithful  marching 
and  blowing  of  the  ram's  horn  for  the 
razing  of  the  walls  of  Jericho  than  to 
trust  to  all  the  gunboats  and  batter- 
ing rams   of  Christendom. 

And  our  ministers,  though  few  in 
number  (as  comfared  to  those  who 
call  us  anti-missionaries),  poor  in 
purse,  and  destitute  of  classical  train- 
ing have  proven  themselves  the  most 
active,  zealous  and  faithful  Scriptural 
missionaries  of  modern  times.  One 
well  qualified  to  speak  for  them  has 
said:  "Not  trained  in  theological 
schools  or  courses,  not  sent  out  by 
any  human  authority,  not  furnished 
beforehand  with  ample  funds,  not 
making  any  charge  for  their  services, 
they  go  forth  like  the  twelve  and  the 
seventy,  depending  upon  the  faithful- 
ness of  the  God  of  Israel,  and,  in 
their  preaching  tours,  travel  tens  of 
thousands  and  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  miles,  speaking,  in  general,  the  un- 
adulterated truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  to 
all  having  ears  to  hear,  wherever  and 
whenever  opportunity  is  afforded; 
and  I  have  never  heard  from  them 
any  other  testimony  than  that,  when 
they  returned,  like  the  twelve  and 
the  seventy,  they  lacked  nothing.  The 
impressions  upon  their  minds  to  leave 
their  homes  at  certain  times,  and  go 
in  certain  directions,  are  often  prov- 
ed to  be  of  the  Lord  by  the  wonder- 
ful spiritual  results  of  their  journeys. 
Taking  the  oversight  of  the  flock  of 
God,  not  for  filthy  lucre,  but  of  a 
ready  mind,  neither  as  being  lords 
over  God's  heritage,  but  being  en- 
samples  to  the  flock,  they  labored  in 
the  Divine  cause  without  any  stipulat- 
ed salary;  and  the  most  of  them,  like 
Paul,  reflect  the  unworldly  disinter- 
estedness of  the  chiefest  of  the  Apos- 
tles by  engaging  in  some  secular  em- 
ployment in  order  to  minister  to  their 
temporal  necessities,  and  not  be  bur- 
densome to  their  churches,  many  of 
which  are  small  and  poor.  Those  who 
give  themselves  wholly  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  prove  also  the  genu- 
ineness of  their  faith  and  their  super- 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


373 


iority  to  mercenary  motives  by  set- 
ting no  price  for  their  services,  by 
laboring  faithfully  and  constantly  in 
the  cause  of  their  heavenly  Master, 
and  by  leaving  the  question  of  the 
support  of  themselves  and  families 
With   Him." 

■But  what  is  the  origin  of  "modern 
missionisms?"  J.  A.  Scorboro  a  prom- 
inent New  School  or  "Missionary" 
Baptist  but  opposed  to  the  present 
board-system  of  his  denomination, 
says:  "The  first  mission  board  was 
organized  by  the  British  Parliament 
on  July  27,  1649;  the  act  was  entitled, 
'A  Corporation  for  Promoting  and 
Propagating  the  Gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ  in  New  England.'  The  govern- 
ment appointed  a  president,  treasurer 
and  fourteen  assistants,  and  gave  the 
corporation  power  to  'acquire  lands, 
goods  and  money.'  'The  Lord  Protec- 
tor,' Cromwell,  directed  the  first  sub- 
scription, Charles  II.  re-issued  the 
charter  in  1662,  the  number  of  mem- 
bers was  fixed  at  forty-five  and  the 
complete  constitution  made  by  the 
Parliament.  This  is  the  first  mission 
board  recorded  in  history.  It  origi- 
nated in  no  church,  but  in  the  Brit- 
ish Parliament.  This  was  one  hundred 
and  forty-three  years  before  the  Bap- 
tists organized  their  society  in  Eng- 
land. (See  Encyclopedia  of  Missions, 
vol.  2,  p.  167.)  This  board  was  or- 
ganized in  response  to  the  request  of 
John  Elliot,  then  a  missionary  among 
the  Indians  in  New  England.  It  still 
exists  and  is  engaged  in  mission  work 
among  the  Indians  of  Canada  and 
British  America. 

"The  next  society  and  board  was 
organized  by  the  English  Episcopa- 
lians and  chartered  by  "William  III., 
in  1701.  He  named  the  officials  and 
fixed  a  life  tenure  for  certain  eccle- 
siastics. Like  the  first,  it  came  from 
a  recommendation  of  Parliament  and 
received  its  authority  from  the  King, 
and  though  it  is  Episcopal  in  doctrine 
it  is  political  in  organization,  and  of 
cou  se,  since  the  Episcopal  Church  is 
governed  by  the  British  crown 
through  its  bishops,  no  local  church 
had  or  has  any  voice  in  it.  At  first  it 
worked  only  among  British  subjects, 
but  later  extended  its  work  to  others. 
This  was  ninety-one  years  before 
English  Baptists  organized  a  society. 

The  next  was  at  North  Olsler,  Den- 
mark, in  June,  1721,  form  of  church 
government    not    stated. 

The  fourth  was  by  the  Moravians 
at  Hernhutt,  1732.  Their  government 
is  Episcopal.  This  was  sixty  years 
before  the   first  Baptist  society. 

The  fifth  was  by  English  Baptists 
In  1792    at  Kittering,  England.  It  was 


formed  voluntarily,  and  de  facto,  by 
twelve  preachers,  who  assembled  for 
that  purpose  at  a  private  house,  during 
the  session  of  a  Baptist  association  at 
Kettering.  The  formation  of  a  mission 
society  was  a  cherished  ambition  of 
Cary.  Neither  he  nor  the  other 
preachers  seem  to  have  thought  of 
asking  the  churches,  as  churches  to 
undertake  the  work.  He  made  his 
plea  before  the  association,  and  then 
the  twelve  went  to  a  private  house, 
organized,  adopted  resolutions,  etc. 
The  association  probably,  and  the  lo- 
cal churches  certainly,  had  nothing  to 
do  with  it. 

Then  sixth,  the  Congregationalists 
of  America  in  1810,  and  seventh 
American  Baptists  in  1814." 

For  proof  see  Encyclopedia  of  Mis- 
sions. 

Elder  Sylvester  Hassell,  doubtless 
one  of  the  purest  and  best  informed 
men  in  the  United  States,  in  Gospel 
Messenger  for  April,  1904,  says: 

"The  latest  and  highest  authorities 
(such  as  the  last  editions  of  the  En- 
cyclopedia Britannica,  and  Johnson's 
Universal  Encyclopedia,  and  the  New 
International  Encyclopedia  in  17  vol- 
umes, now  being  published  by  Dodd, 
Mead  &  Co.,  372  Fifth  Avenue,  New 
York,  under  the  supervision  of  D.  C. 
Gilman,  former  president  of  Johns 
Hopkins  University,  Baltimore,  and 
now  president  of  the  Carnegie  Insti- 
tution, Washington,  D.  C.,  and  Prof. 
H.  T.  Peck,  of  Columbia  University, 
New  York,  and  Prof.  F.  M.  Colby,  of 
New  York  University)  declare  that 
there  have  been  three  distinct  periods 
of  missions:  First,  Early  or  Individ- 
ual Missions,  in  which  the  apostles 
and  other  individuals,  as  they  felt  di- 
rected of  the  Lord,  travelled  and 
preached  the  gospel  in  different  coun- 
tries— 'this  Early  Period  lasting  to 
about  700  A.  D.  Second,  Mediaeval  or 
Church  Missions,  in  which  the  pro- 
fessing churches  sent  out  ministers 
to  preach  Lo  other  nations — this  Me- 
diaeval Period  lasting  from  about  700 
to  about  1500  A.  D.  Third,  M|odern  or 
Society  Missions  (from  about  1500  A. 
D.  to  the  present  time),  in  which 
Catholic.  Protestant,  and  Baptist  So- 
cieties have,  for  a  money  considera- 
tion, sent  out  their  ministers  to 
preach  in  their  own  and  foreign  coun- 
tries. Because  Primitive  Baptists  still 
adhere  to  the  principles  and  methods 
of  early,  apostolic,  and  individual  mis- 
sions, their  ministers  looking  to  the 
Lord,  and  not  to  man,  for  direction 
and  support,  they  are  (as  Jesus  and 
His  apostles  were)  derided,  despised, 
and  villified  by  worldly  religionists." 


374 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


We  have  seen  that  the  modern 
missionary  system  is  of  human  origin, 
but  what  of  its  results.  Ordinarily  one 
has  no  information  on  this  subject 
except  from  some  enthusiastic  advo- 
cate or  employe  of  the  system,  and 
such  reports  are  expected  to  be  glow- 
ing. Following  are  some  reports  of  a 
different   character: 

"Mr.  W.  F.  Bainbridge,  who  for  ten 
years  was  pastor  of  the  large  'Mis- 
sionary' 'Baptist  Church'  at  Provi- 
dence, Rhode  Island,  and  who,  with 
his  wife  and  son,  and  "provided  with 
cordial  credentials  from  secretaries 
of  all  the  leading  Foreign  Missionary 
Societies  of  America,'  during  the 
years  of  1879-1881  made  a  universal 
survey  of  the  foreign  mission  field, 
traveling  50,000  miles  and  visiting 
more  than  a  thousand  missionaries, 
and  upon  his  return  published  a  book 
entitled  "Around  the  World  Tour  of 
Christian  Missions."  It  is  declared  by 
leading,  able  and  most  extensively 
circulated  religious  periodicals  of  dif- 
ferent denominations  in  the  United 
States  that  'no  work  on  the  subject 
so  complete  and  reliable  has  ever 
been  published  in  America  or  Eu- 
rope;' that  'the  information  contain- 
ed in  it  is  full,  fresh  and  timely;'  and 
that  'it  is  unquestionably  the  most 
valuable  contribution  thus  far  made 
to  the  standard  literature  of  Christian 
Missions.' 

"Mr.  Bainbridge  represents  that  he 
found  the  heathens  less  roguish  than 
professed  Christians;  that,  while  he 
never  lost  a  dollar's  worth  of  goods 
during  his  sojourn  of  a  year  and 
three-quarters  in  heathen  lands,  he 
was  ashamed  to  say  that  the  steal- 
ings out  of  his  baggage  in  Europe  in 
less  than  a  year  amounted  to  several 
hundred  dollars.  And  yet  he  says 
that  there  was  scarcely  a  night  when 
the  heathens  could  not  have  stolen 
something  from  him,  but  they  did  not, 
even  when  he  was  paying  his  heathen 
servants  but  twenty-five  cents  a  day, 
and  when  no  foreign  consular  power 
was  near  for  intimidation  in  the  in- 
terest of  honesty.  No  wonder  the 
Chinese  think  it  expedient  for  them 
to  establish  missions  in  so-called 
Christian  lands. 

"Mr.  Bainbridge  conveys  to  us  the 
painful  information  that  professed 
Christians  are  disseminating  mate- 
rialism in  Japan,  universalism  in 
China,  and  infidelity  in  India.  *  *  * 
He  thinks  that  foreign  missionaries 
receive  on  an  average  a  thousand 
dollars  per  year — some  getting  con- 
siderably more  than  this — *  *  *  and 
that   they   have   good   residences    and 


many  household  comforts."  "India  is 
admitted  to  be  the  most  important 
and  most  vigorously  cultivated  Prot- 
estant mission  field  of  today.  It  was 
the  first  foreign  field  selected  and 
worked  by  Mr.  Fuller's  society,  and, 
therefore,  has  been  the  longest  work- 
ed and  ought  to  show  the  grandest  re- 
sults. "A  tree  is  to  be  judged  by  its 
fruit,  causes  by  their  effects,"  says 
Mr.  Bainbridge.  We  accept  this  re- 
mark as  being  both  reasonable  and 
Scriptural.  "Missions  are  everywhere 
the  mother  of  schools,  and  at  least 
twelve  thousand  schools,  with  four 
hundred  thousand  pupils,  owe  their 
origin  and  support  to  missionary  so- 
cieties." Mr.  Bainbridge  testifies  that 
these  schools  in  India  teach  science 
mainly,  and  that  evangelization  is  a 
very  subordinate  object;  and  he  says 
that  out  of  fifty  young  men  educated 
by  many  of  these  mission  schools,  all 
but  two  or  three  graduate  as  infidels 
and  scoffers  at  all  religion;  that  the 
literary  demands  of  India  are  great 
and  growing,  and  are  being  met  by 
vast  quantities  of  vile  native  produc- 
tions, and  by  enormous  translations 
from  European  skepticism,  rational- 
ism, and  materialism."  See  Hassell's 
Church   History. 

M.  Elisee  Reclus,  the  French  geog- 
rapher in  his  work  on  the  "Earth 
and  Its  Inhabitants,"  speaking  of  the 
converts  of  the  missionaries  in  India, 
says:  "In  the  seaports  they  are  mis- 
trusted by  the  traders,  who  prefer  to 
employ  natives  that  have  preserved 
the    religion    of   their    forefathers." 

Some  facts  recently  presented  by 
Canon  Taylor  in  an  article  entitled 
"The  Great  Missionary  Failure,"  in 
the  Fortnightly  Review,  suggests  the 
inquiry  whether  it  would  not  be  ad- 
visable to  spend  the  money  that  is 
appropriated  to  the  support  of  For-. 
eign  Missions  in  making  converts 
and  strengmening  the  churches  in 
Christian  countries.  Canon  Taylor  is 
a  distinguished  clergyman  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  it  cannot  be 
said  that  in  presenting  facts,  showing 
the  failure  of  Foreign  Missions,  he 
was  influenced  by  a  desire  to  acquire 
notoriety. 

It  is  estimated  that  the  non-Christ- 
ian population  of  those  parts  of  Asia 
and  Africa,  of  the  people  of  which 
something  definite  is  known,  is  more 
than  920.000,000.  The  natural  increase 
of  this  population  by  excess  of  births 
over  deaths  is  about  11,000,000  annu- 
ally. Dr.  Maclear,  who  is  the  chief 
of  a  training  school  for  Missionaries, 
estimates  the  yearly  increase  of  na- 
tive Christians,  dup  to  the  efforts  of 
missionaries,     at     60,000.       According 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


375 


to  these  figures,  it  would  take  183 
years  to  convert  to  Christianity  a 
single  year's  increase  of  the  non- 
Christian  population.  Canon  Taylor 
says:  in  spite  of  our  advance,  in- 
stead of  overtaking  the  work,  the 
work  is  overtaking  us.  It  is  like  the 
tortoise  racing  with  the  railway  train, 
the  longer  the  race  continues  the  far- 
ther the  tortoise  is  left  behind." 

But  how  much  money  is  spent  an- 
nually in  maintaining  Foreign  Mis- 
sions? According  to  Canon  Taylor, 
the  Protestants  alone  spend  $10,000,- 
000.  The  number  of  American  and 
European  missionaries  is  about  6,000, 
and  of  native  missionaries  about  30,- 
000.  If  the  non-Christian  population 
were  to  remain  stationary,  and  con- 
verts were  to  be  made  at  the  present 
rate,  it  would  take  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands of  years  to  convert  the  world, 
even  if  there  were  no  relapses;  but 
the  non-Christian  population  does  not 
remain  stationary,  and,  as  above 
shown,  it  would  take  200  years  to 
convert  the  increase  for  a  single  year. 
Canon  Taylor  gives  some  figures 
which  apply  to  India  alone.  In  that 
country  the  Roman  Catholics  convert 
to  Christianity  each  year  about  21,272, 
and  the  Protestants  about  1,311.  At 
this  rate  it  would  require  sixty-four 
years  to  make  as  many  converts  to 
Christianity  as  would  equal  in  num- 
ber to  one  year's  increase  in  the  non- 
Christian  population. 

In  China  the  missionaries  make 
very  little  progress.  The  Church  Mis- 
sionary Society  baptized  last  year  167. 
How  small  is  this  number  out  of  a 
population  of  382,000,000,  having  an 
annual  increase  of  over  4,580,000!  At 
this  rate,  even  if  the  population  re- 
mained stationary,  the  Society  would 
not  be  able  to  convert  China  to 
Christianity  in  less  than  1,680,000 
years. 

It  is  costly  business  making  con- 
verts in  China.  The  cost  of  making 
the  167  converts  last  year  was  $75,- 
000.  In  Northern  India  $170,000  was 
spent  in  making  173  converts,  and 
715  agents  were  employed.  In  Egypt, 
Russia,  Palestine  and  Arabia,  the 
Church  Missionary  Society  had  119 
agents  in  its  employment  during  the 
last  two  years,  and  spent  $117,000 
without  making  a  single  convert.  The 
fact  must  be  kept  in  mind  that  where 
converts  are  made  there  are  many 
relapses — so  many,  in  fact,  that  it  is 
difficult  in  many  places  to  estimate, 
with  any  degree  of  accuracy,  the  pro- 
gress that  the  missions  are  making. 
Canon  Taylor  deals  not  only  with 
the  number  of  the  converts,  but  also 


the  quality  of  them,  and  the  quality 
of  a  very  large  percentage  of  tneni  is 
bad.  The  native  African  pastors  and 
teachers  are  reported  to  be  "more  or 
less   bad  men." 

These  are  only  a  few  of  the  tacts 
furnished  by  Canon  Taylor,  but  they 
are  sufficient  to  give  an  idea  of  tiie 
work  of  Foreign  Missions. — Savannah 
News. 

Washington  Post:  Lieut.  Wood,  U. 
S.  N.,  of  the  United  States  Coast  and 
Geodetic  Survey,  now  stationed  in 
this  city,  has  had  excellent  opportuni- 
ties to  observe  the  work  of  American 
missionaries  stationed  in  China  and 
Corea,  having  made  a  trip  to  those 
countries  in  1884  on  board  the  Tren- 
ton. 

"It  is  not  extravagant  to  say,"  he 
said  to  a  Post  reporter  yesterday, 
"that  the  work  of  the  missionaries  in 
China  and  Corea  has  been  absolutely 
without  any  result,  except  to  hold 
them  up  to  ridicule'  of  the  natives.  It 
has  been  before  stated,  and  I  concur 
in  the  belief,  that  there  is  not  a  Chi- 
nese convert  to  Christianity  of  sound 
mind  today  within  the  entire  extent 
of    China." 

"What  about  the  lists  of  converts 
we  hear  of  in  this  country?"  he  was 
asked. 

"They  are  merely  the  menials  em- 
ployed about  the  quarters  of  the  mis- 
sionaries, who  for  a  salary  of  $4  per 
month,  become  converts.  But  when 
they  are  discharged,  there  is  no  fur- 
ther evidence  of  their  'change  of 
mind.'  The  missionaries  do  not  mix 
with  the  natives  to  any  considerable 
extent,  and  many  of  their  meetings 
are  not  only  in  English,  but  with  the 
missionaries  themselves  as  an  audi- 
ence. As  for  a  nobleman  of  Corea  or 
a  mandarin  of  China  ever  acknowl- 
edge the  Christian  faith,  such  a  thing 
was  never  heard  of.' 

"How  do  the  missionaries  bring 
themselves   into   ridicule?" 

'As  a  matter  of  fact,  they  are  look- 
ed upon  about  as  is  the  Salvation 
Army  in  America,  only  to  a  degree 
ten  times  as  great." — Gospel  Messen- 
ger. 

"Certificate  to  Heaven  for  Land. 
(From  the  Topeka  Telegram).  United 
States  Senator  Burton  arrived  here 
Tuesday  night  preparatory  to  enter- 
ing the  state  campaign.  He  has  just 
returned  from  Hawaii,  where  he  went 
as  one  of  a  senatorial  investigating 
committee.  'The  Hawaiians  are  fine 
people,'  he  said  tonight,  'but  they  are 
in  hard  lines  just  at  present.  Their 
condition  is  the  result  of  the  work 
of  the  Boston  missionaries.  A  num- 
ber   of    missionaries    have    been    Over 


376 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


there  recently,  and  have  given  many 
of  the  natives  certificates  guaranteed 
to  admit  them  to  heaven  in  exchange 
for  their  lands.  A  number  of  the 
more  ignorant  natives  have  been 
swindled  in  this  way.  Those  who  have 
learned  their  mistake  are  naturally  a 
trifle  suspicious  Of  all  Americans." — 
Atlanta   Constitution. 

Perhaps  the  reader  is  interested  to 
know  how  much  it  costs  to  "make 
such   Christians." 

"Mr.  Bainbridge  reckons  the  actual 
pecuniary  cost  of  each  home  convert 
at  $550,  and  of  each  foreign  convert 
at  $320  or  less.  Others  calculate  that 
each  foreign  conversion  costs  $1,000, 
but  that  each  home  conversion  costs 
more." 

"A  recent  number  of  the  New  York 
Examiner"  (a  publication  which 
claims  to  be  the  leading  "Mission- 
ary" Baptist  paper  of  the  world)  says 
that,  during  the  year  1884,  it  cost 
$592.03  to  make  a  Pagan  an  Episco- 
palian; $248.14  a  Congregationalist; 
$234.91,  a  Presbyterian;  $117.91,  a 
Methodist;  $72.88,  a  Campbellite;  and 
only  $37.05,  a  Baptist;  so  that  the 
average  cost  of  Protestant  conversions 
being  $203.91,  the  conversion  of  Pa- 
gans into  Baptists  cost  but  one-sixth 
of  the  average." — Hassell's  Church 
History. 

"Thomas  Pritchard,  D.  D.,  puts  the 
average  cost  of  converts  in  the  mis- 
sion fields  at  90  cents,  and  the  aver- 
age cost  of  each  convert  in  Christian 
lands  at  $6.30." 

Another,  speaking  of  some  of  their 
converts,  said:  "These  40  children  of 
God  have  cost  us  in  cash  just  four  dol- 
lars a  piece.  Who,  in  the  face  of  all 
this,  is  not  willing  to  give  four  dollars 
to  save  a  soul  from  eternal  damna- 
tion? Certainly  no  one.  Oh!  brethren, 
just  think,  only  four  dollars  for  a 
ticket   from   earth   to   heaven. 

"There  will  be  no  other  opportunity 
for  us  to  save  lost  souls,  by  giving 
our  money  to  missions,  after  the 
present  opportunity  is  past.  It  is  a 
dreadful  thing  to  misuse  the  Lord's 
trust  funds,  and  to  know  in  eternity 
that  souls  are  in  perdition  who  might 
have  been  in  heaven  if  we  had  done 
what  we  could,  and  faithfully  used 
what  was  in  our  hands." — A.  J.  Gor- 
don, in  Texas  Baptist  and  Herald, 
Aug.   23,   1894. 

Mr.  R.  B.  Cook,  a  missionary  Bap- 
tist Historian,  says:  "Instead  of  fall- 
ing behind,  we  ought  henceforth  to 
lead  all  other  denominations  in  our 
contributions  for  saving  perishing 
souls." 

"A   few   years   ago   the    New    York 


World  published  a  cartoon  on  the 
(Missionary)  system  in  two  pictures. 
In  the  first  the  corresponding  secre- 
tary (of  a  missionary  board)  appeared 
in  his  office  surrounded  by  his  help- 
ers. Salaries  were  given:  Secretary, 
$5,000;  assistant  secretary,  $2,500; 
bookkeeper,  $1,500;  stenographer, 
$1,000;  negro  janitor,  $500;  treasurer, 
$500,  and  so  on.  In  the  next  appeared 
the  missionary,  long,  lean,  cadaver- 
ous; he  had  just  landed  among  sav- 
ages, grip  labelled:  "Salary  $150."  In 
a  pot  on  the  fire  were  the  bones  of  a 
man,  and  a  group  of  savages  were 
feeling  the  arms  and  legs  of  the  newly 
arrived  missionary  to  find  out  if  he 
was  fat  enough  to  eat.  Egh!  too  poor 
is  their  verdict.  It  hit  the  mark  indeed, 
as  was  proven  by  the  howl  from  cor- 
responding secretaries  in  the  relig- 
ious press." — J.  A.  Scarboo. 

The  Boston  Investigator  says:  "We 
never  had  any  doubt  but  what  there 
were  some  who  supported  religion 
from  the  best  motives ;  but  we  believe 
that  many  support  it  with  about  the 
same  object  in  view  that  the  multi- 
tudes had  when  they  followed  Jesus, 
namely,  'for  the  loaves  and  fishes.' 
This  making  a  trade  of  religion  is  a 
shocking  evil.  We  find  tract  societies 
established,  charitable  institutions  set 
on  foot,  -new  plans  devised  to  melior- 
ate our  condition,  new  buildings  erect- 
ed, new  laws  devised,  new  improve- 
ments suggested,  and  when  we  follow 
them  up  and  see  them  organized,  we 
shall  find  the  pious,  humane  and  to- 
tally disinterested  projectors  filling 
the  lucrative  places  of  presidents, 
scribes,  agents,  clerks,  printers,  etc., — 
a  son  here,  a  brother  there,  and  relig- 
ion is  made  to  answer  the  purpose  of 
private  gain,  under  the  suspicious  pre- 
text of  public  good.  As  an  instance  in 
point,  the  'Missionary  House'  in  this 
city  pays  four  secretaries  a  salary  of 
six  thousand  dollars  yearly;  and  out  of 
more  than  ten  thousand  dollars  raised 
the  last  year  by  the  Foreign  Evangel- 
ical Society,  not  less  than  six  thous- 
and were  expended  in  agencies,  etc. 
This  is  the  principles  upon  which  relig- 
ious teachers,  as  a  class,  conduct  their 
performances.  They  labor  for  money 
just  as  much  as  a  mechanic  who 
builds  a  house  of  worship.  The  only 
difference  is,  tHe  'missionaries'  are  not 
half  as  honest  as  the  mechanic,  inas- 
much as  they  pretend  not  to  work  for 
money,  which  in  fact  amounts  to  a 
system  of  cheating,  or  as  they  say 
in  law,  'obtaining  goods  under  false 
pretenses.' 

"  'Society  requires  reform,  there  is 
no  doubt,  but  it  cannot  be  effected  by 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


377 


these  money-making,  pious  schemes,  it 
must  be  done  by  precept  and  ex- 
ample, by  justice,  generosity,  mild 
persuasion,  disinterested  benevol- 
ence, unmitigated  love  and  kind- 
ness, and  not  got  up  under  the 
shape  of  contributions  for  'mission- 
aries,'  tract  societies,   etc. 

"  'On  every  side  we  see  new 
schemes  to  obtain  money  for  religious 
purposes — converting  the  heathen, 
sending  'missionaries'  abroad,  build- 
ing churches,  holding  religious  fairs, 
buying  up  theatres  for  the  purpose  of 
private  speculation,  establishing  pious 
newspapers,  etc. 

"  'These  sums,  which  could  be  con- 
verted to  objects  of  charity,  to  feed 
the  hungry,  and  clothe  the  naked,  are 
taken  from  those  who  cannot  afford 
to  spare  them,  to  constitute  a  fund 
which  is  to  be  expended  under  the 
superintendence  of  certain  men. 
The  annual  amount  raised  for  such 
purpose  in  this  country  is  immense, 
and  we  are  feeling  the  force  of  it,  not 
in  substantial  and  wholesome  reforms, 
but  in  the  meddling  interference  with 
private  concerns — invading  the  sancti- 
ty of  domestic  retirement,  and  at- 
tempting to  hold  public  opinion  and 
public  will  in  a  thraldom  almost  as 
oppressive  as  the  Inquisition  itself. 
We  are  told  that  this  is  all  for  real 
goodness  and  sincere  piety;  and  he 
who  objects  to  it  is  no  friend  of  be- 
nevolence and  true  religion.  Let  us 
beware  of  fanaticism,  of  bigotry  and 
intolerance;  they  are  the  curses  of 
human  society,  and  always  assume 
some  plausible  shape  to  deceive  and 
beguile.  Men  do  not  always  practice 
as  they  preach;  and  when  we  see 
profit  introduced  under  the  panoply  of 
spiritual  guides,  we  can  see  no 
grounds  for  believing  that  a  system  of 
religion  which  thus  encourages  hy- 
pocrisy is  of  any  utility  in  promoting 
human  happiness.'  " — Hassell's  Church 
History. 

"In  1900  the  Chinese  undertook  to 
expel  all  foreigners,  including  mis- 
sionaries, from  China.  The  combined 
navies  and  armies  of  five  world  pow- 
ers assembled  at  Taku,  dismantled 
the  Chinese  forts,  marched  on  and 
•captured  Pekin,  the  capital,  blew  up 
the  walls,  looted  the  Chinese  treasury, 
butchered  Chinese,  forced  the  Chi- 
nese government  to  protect  the  mis- 
sionaries and  are  maintaining  Protest- 
ant, Romish  and  Baptist  missions  in 
China  with  smokeless  powder  and  dy- 
namite. 

"The  evidence  is  that  all  the  mis- 
sion boards,  including  Baptist,  de- 
manded  the   protection   of   their  mis- 


sionaries by  their  respective  govern- 
ments, secured  it  and  the  missiona- 
ries are  there  now  only  because  the 
Chinese  fear  war  if  they  expel  them. 

"We  heard  a  secretary  of  a  Baptist 
board  say:  'A  thirteen-inch  gun  is  a 
good  missionary,'  and  boasted  that 
God's  cause  would  ultimately  succeed 
because  it  was  'backed  by  the  com- 
bined armies  and  navies  of  civiliza- 
tion.' 

"The  point  is  that  this  system  of 
missions  invokes  temporal  political 
powers  to  sustain  it;  that  it  is  in  re- 
ngio-political  alliance  with  the  mili- 
tary powers  of  the  world  and  depend- 
ent upon  them  for  protection  and  suc- 
cess. 

"Wait  a  moment — we  are  not  argu- 
ing, but  stating  facts. 

How  does  Cortez,  the  Roman-Span- 
ish fanatic  and  brigand  Christianize 
(?)  MJexico  and  Peru?  With  sword 
and  fire,  the  gospel  of  force.  Did  he 
Christianize  or  Romanize  them?  Ro- 
manized them,  tore  away  the  idols  of 
the  native  system  and  erected  the 
idols  of  Romanism  in  their  stead, 
changed  the  name,  but  not  the  spirit 
of  the  religious  institution,  put  their 
necks  under  the  yoke  of  Spanish  des- 
potism and  made  it  next  to  impossible 
to  preach  the  gospel  of  love  and  sal- 
vation to  them. 

"The  gospel  of  force  is  not  the  gos- 
pel of  Christ;  the  'thirteen-inch  gun' 
method  is  not  the  method  of  the 
King  of  Peace.  Nations  may  be  Ro- 
manized, but  they  cannot  be  Christ- 
ianized by  force.  It  destroys  confi- 
dence in  the  Christian  religion  among 
heathens  when  efforts  are  made  to 
blast  it  in  with  dynamite,  shoot  it  in 
with  thirteen-inch  guns  and  trade  it 
it  with  mean  whisky.  Kow  would  you 
like  to  see  a  ship  loaded  with  whisky, 
idols,  Mauser  rifles  and  missionaries 
start  out  on  a  mission  tour.  That  is 
the  way  it  is  done.  State  and  church 
form  an  alliance,  the  state  for  trade 
and  territory,  the  church  for  ecclesias- 
tical conquest,  and  when  the  church 
cannot  convert  the  heathen  it  begs 
the  state  to  shoot  the  rascals,  and  the 
state  shoots  them. 

"Poor  John  Chinaman  cannot  see 
the  difference  between  them  when 
both  succeed  the  same  way  and  by 
the  same  means,  and  hence  he  con- 
cludes that  mission  work  is  but  the 
skirmish  line  of  commerce  and  mili- 
tary oppression. 

"This  was  the  method  of  Rome  Pa- 
gan, as  it  is  of  Rome  Papal,  Protest- 
ants Romanized  and  Baptists  Pagan- 
ized and  Romanized.  Mexico  and  Peru 
were  not  Christianized  by  it,  nor  wih 
China  or  any  other  nation  be. 


378 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


"After  forcing  China  to  agree  to 
pay  an  indemnity  of  three  hundred 
and  thirty-three  million  dollars,  ($333,- 
000,000),  'to  prohibit  Chinese  mem- 
bership in  anti-foreign  societies  under 
pain  of  death;  to  abolish  government 
examinations  for  five  years  in  cities 
where  foreigners  had  been  massacred, 
and  to  order  the  dismissal  of  govern- 
ors who  should  hereafter  permit  anti- 
foreign  agitation  the  fleets  of  the  com- 
bined world-powers  withdrew.  In  view 
of  these  facts  no  one  should  longer 
doubt  that  the  modern  missionary 
system  is  unscriptural  and  has  the 
characteristics  of  anti-Christ  and  the 
marks  of  the  'beast;'  for  it  has  the 
dollar  ($)  mark  (greed)  religion, 
(false  of  course),  tyranny  and  world- 
power,  all  of  which  is  contrary  or  in 
opposition  to  the  religion  of  Jesus." 

"In  the  Atlanta  Constitution  for 
January  5,  1903,  under  caption  of 
'Chinese  groan  under  the  Indemnity,' 
I  find  the  following:  'It  is  said  at  the 
State  department  that  probably  never 
in  the  history  of  the  department  has 
there  been  so  many  heavy  claims  pre- 
sented to  the  attention  of  a  settle- 
ment commission  as  those  coming 
from  missionaries  as  a  result  of  the 
Boxer  uprising.  The  commission  has 
cut  into  these  with  a  ruthless  hand. 
In  one  case  a  claim  was  submitted 
amounting  to  $250,000  for  mission 
property  destroyed.  Reliable  affidavits 
show  that  $100,000  was  a  generous 
estimate  for  the  property.  In  individ- 
ual cases   missionaries   put  in   claims 


for  jewelry  and  articles  of  luxury.'  It 
was  a  violation  of  the  principles  of 
the  gospel  for  them  to  demand  any- 
thing by  force,  but  it  appears  in  this 
case  that  three-fifths  of  the  claim 
made  by  the  missionaries  was  an  ab- 
solute fraud.  And  mind  you  that  this 
statement  is  made  by  the  friends  of 
the  missionaries,  their  own  country- 
men."— G.  W.  Stewart. 

Frank  L.  Stanton  in  Atlanta  Con- 
stitution in  negro  dialect  portrays  the 
unfortunate  "heathen"  as  follows: 

"De  preacher  say:   'De  heathens' — 
'Dey  drinks  a  bitter  cup!' 
We  filled  a  jug  wid  sperrets, 
En  de  preacher  dinked  it  up. 

De   preacher   say:    'Dem   heathens' — 
Dey  never  dine  or  sup!         ., 
We  kotched  dem  six  fat  possums, 
En  de  preacher  eat  dem  up. 

En  den  he  say:   'De  heathens 
Will  freeze  fo'  winter  gone! 
We  raise  a  wagon  load  er  cloze, 
En  de  preacher  put  dem  on. 

En  den  he  low:  'Dem  heathens 
Want  lots  er  money  too.' 
But  lak'  a  flash  hes  scoop  de  cash, 
En  say :    'My  salary  due ! ' 

En  now  we  say  what  time  we  pray, 

In  sight  o'  sich  a  teacher; 

'Please   he'p    de   heathen   folks,    good 

Lawd, 
But  save  'em  frum  de  preacher!'  " 


Sunday  Schools 


The  Patriarchs,  by  Divine  direc- 
tion, taught  religious  truths  to  their 
own  children,  and  the  prophets  and 
tne  apostles  gave  religious  instruction 
to  all,  both  old  and  young,  who  were 
prepared  to  receive  it.  But  the  ten- 
dency of  modern  times  has  been  to 
belittle  the  instruction  of  God's  word, 
to  shun  the  responsibility  of  parental 
teaching  and  home  influence,  and  to 
shift  that  responsibility  upon  the 
shoulders  of  others.  Hence,  the  Sun- 
day school,  where  children  are  sup- 
posedly taught  Christianity  on  Sun- 
days as  they  are  taught  geography  or 
arithmetic   on   other  week   days. 

Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptists 
oppose  Sunday  Schools  in  their 
churches.  So  did  Christ  and  His  Apos- 
tles. We  think  them  unnecessary 
since  Christ  and  the  apostles  estab- 
lished none.  There  were  children  in 
the  apostles'  day  and  these  godly  men 


had  as  much  regard  for  them,  loved 
them  as  well  and  knew  far  better  the 
needs  of  children  than  men  of  mod- 
ern times.  Paul  said;  "And  ye,  fath- 
ers, provoke  not  your  children  to 
wrath:  but  bring  them  up  in  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Lord." — Ephe- 
sians  6:4. 

Solomon  said:  "Train  up  a  child  in 
the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he 
is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it. — 
Proverbs    22:6. 

Is  it  not  the  parent's  duty  to  do 
this?  Certainly  it  is  not  by  God's 
word  made  the^  duty  of  any,  to  send 
their  children  to  Sunday  Schools, 
where  as  a  rule,  women  are  teachers. 
To  the  contrary  Paul  said:  "But  I  suf- 
fer not  a  woman  to  teach,  nor  to 
usurp  authority  over  the  man,  but  to 
be  in  silence. " — 1  Tim.  2:12. 

The  Church  was  set  up  by  Christ. 
He    is    our   King,    and    as     such   has 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


3n 


given  His  subjects  the  Bible  as  their 
law,  in  which  they  are  "thoroughly 
furnished  unto  all  good  works."— 
2  Tim.  3:16. 

/But  as  to  the  origin  of  Sunday 
Schools  it  is  generally  admitted  that 
Robert  Raikes,  of  Glochester,  Eng., 
was  the  founder.  In  1781  he  hired 
teachers  to  instruct  some  poor  chil- 
dren in  Glochester  in  reading  and  in 
the  catechisms  on  Sunday. 

Advocates  of  this  modern  institu- 
tion have  expressed  themselves  as 
follows  as  to  its  object: 

"The  ultimate  object  of  the  Sunday 
School  is  the  salvation  of  the  chil- 
dren." 

"The    Sunday    School    ends    in    the 
church,  and  the  church  in  salvation." 
"The   Sunday   School  is  the  nursey 
of   the   church." 

"The  Sunday  School  is  the  lite-boat 
of  ship  Zion." 

"Jt  is  one  of  the  strong  arms  of  th^ 
church;  the  right  hand  that  grasps 
and  wields  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  to 
cut  down  error  and  slay  sin." 

Following  are  a  few  examples  of 
the  teaching  in  Sunday  Schools: 

"Wall  you  not  give  Him  (Jesus) 
your  heart  and  your  fresh  young  life 
today,  and  love  and  serve  Him  all  the 
rest  of  your  days?" — Id. 

"Two  worlds  are  interested  in  you. 
Christ  is  thinking  upon  you  and  so  is 
Satan." — The  Teacher,  May,  1904, 
School  Baptist. 

"Our  Motto  Text  tells  us — who  can 
say  it?  'Tis:  'We  will  have  a  reward' 
— we  will  be  blessed — we  will  not  be 
punished  and  sent  away  like  the  un- 
faithful man,  but  we  will  have  a  home 
with  Jesus  in  heaven  forever,  if  we 
will  watch  and  be  careful  to  do  as 
He  tells  us  we  must  do.  Let  us  ask 
Him  to  help  us  this  week." — Id. 

"What  God  wants  to  do  is  to  save 
us.  He  can  do  that  only  as  we  come 
to  Him  with  acknowledgment  of  the 
truth."— Id. 

"You  boys  and  girls  can  begin  to 
love  Him  and  remember  Him,  as  well 
now  as  when  you  are  older.  Let  us 
ask  Jesus  to  take  our  love  and  to  keep 
us  remembering  Him   always.'. — Id' 

Does  not  such  teaching  foster  pride, 
self-conceit,  vanity,  presumption,  and 
creature  worship?    The  prevalent  idea 


is  "Be  a  good  little  boy,  be  a  good 
little  girl,  and  you  will  get  to  heaven," 
which  is  in  direct  opposition  to  the 
plain  teaching  of  God's  word. 

Each  denomination,  to  be  consist- 
ent, must  teach  its  peculiar  doctrine 
and  practice.  The  following  is  taken 
from  the  International  Sunday  School 
Lesson  on  Acts  8,  and  is  an  example 
of  such  teaching  by  those  who  oppose 
immersion: 

"Acts  8,  Vs.  38.  'Went  down  both  in- 
to (or  to  )  the  water.' — As  Both  Philip 
and  the  eunuch  went  down  into  the 
water,  this  did  not  constitute  baptism. 
He  baptized  him.- — Probably  by 
sprinkling  or  pouring  water  from  the 
stream  upon  his  head." 

Everyone,  except  a  hater  of  the 
light  and  of  the  example  of  Jesus, 
must  see  that  such  teaching  is  a  plain 
perversion  of  Scripture. 

Much  could  be  said  as  to  the  result 
of  such  teaching  but  the  following 
statement  from  Mr.  C.  L.  Clinton 
briefly  expresses  the  truth  on  the  sub- 
ject: 

"There  was  never  a  time  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  world,  perhaps,  when 
there  were  as  many  Sunday  School 
teachers  and  scholars,  and  as  many 
young  people's  societies,  and  yet 
never  a  time  when  there  was  more 
practical  infidelity  among  these  very 
young  people,  or  more  worldliness  or 
hardness  of  heart." 

Thus  it  is  seen  that  some  of  the 
advocates  of  Sunday  Schools  admit 
that  it  is  a  failure  in  producing  the 
good  fruits  of  practical  godliness  and 
reverence  for  holy  things.  And  many 
ministers  of  various  denominations 
say  that  it  is  becoming  less  attractive, 
and  one  prominent  D.  D.  of  New  York 
City  recently  declared  that  something 
else  must  be  looked  for  in  the  future 
to  take  the  place  of  Sunday  Schools. 

Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptists 
want  no  school — religiously — but  the 
school  of  Christ,  no  teacher  but  the 
Holy  Spirit  and  His  called  and  quali- 
fied servants,  and  look  for  no  more 
potent  influence  for  good  than  the 
church  Jesus  set  up  nearly  two  thou- 
sand years  ago,  the  Christian  home, 
and  a  civil  government  that  guaran- 
tees religious  liberty  and  freedom  of 
conscience. 


Secret  Societies 


Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptists 
oppose  secret  institutions  of  the 
world;  so  did  Jesus.  He  said:  "I 
spake  openly  to  the  world;  I  ever 
taught  in  the  synagogue,  and  in  the 
temple,  whither  the   Jews   always   re- 


sort;   and  in  secret  have  I  said  noth- 
ing."— Jno.   18:20. 

They  believe  good  works  should 
shine  out  before  men  and  not  be  shut 
up  within  a  lodge,  that  God,  and  not 
the   institutions   of  men,   be  glorified, 


380 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


for  thus  the  Master  taught  when  he 
said:  "Let  your  light  so  shine  before 
men  that  they  may  see  your  good 
works,  and  glorify  your  Father  which 
is  in  heaven." — 'Matt.  5:16. 

They  have  no  fellowship  with  the 
unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  nor  did 
Paul:  "Have  no  fellowship  with  the 
unfruitful  works  of  darkness,  but 
rather  reprove  them.  For  it  is  a 
shame  even  to  speak  of  those  things 
which  are  done  of  them  in  secret." — 
Eph.  5:11,  12. 

Nor  do  they  think  it  right  for  be- 
lievers to  be  unequally  yoked  togeth- 
er with  unbelievers,  neither  did  Paul: 
"Be  not  unequally  yoked  together 
with  unbelievers:  for  what  fellowship 
hath  righteousness  with  unrighteous- 
ness? and  what  communion  hath  light 
with   darkness?" — 2   Cor.   6:14. 

There  is  one  secret  society  spoken 
of  in  the  New  Testament,  but  in  the 
way  of  condemnation  for  it  was  or- 
ganized for  no  good  purpose  as  the 
following  show: 

"For  there  lie  in  wait  for  him  of 
them  more  than  forty  men,  which 
have  bound  themselves  with  an  oath, 
that  they  will  neither  eat  nor  drink 
till  they  have  killed  him." — Acts 
23:21. 

Nor  are  the  Primitive  Baptists  all 
who  have  in  the  past,  and  are  still 
opposing  secret  institutions.  "John 
Quincy  Adams  denounced  the  bloody 
oaths  of  Masonry  and  James  Madi- 
son, another  President  of  the  United 
States,  also  publicly  protested  against 
them.  *  *  *  The  great  Lincoln  and 
the  Silent  Soldier  of  the  Republic 
were  not  members  of  secret  societies. 
The  great  merchants,  the  great  schol- 
ars, the  great  preachers,  the  great 
evangelists,  the  great  philanthronists 
of  our  country  have  never  been 
known  as  lodge  people.  Where  they 
have  spoken  on  the  subject  they  have 
condemned  the  principle  of  secret  as- 
sociation just  as  Jesus  did." 

"I  preside  over  no  lodge,  nor  have 
I  been  in  one  more  than  once  or  twice 
during  the  last  thirty  years." — (George 
Washington. 

"In  my  opinion  the  imposition  of 
such  obligations  as  Freemasonry  re- 
quires should  be  prohibited  by  law." — 
Daniel  Webster. 

"I  do  not  see  how  any  Christian, 
most  of  all  a  Christian  minister,  can 
go  into  these  secret  lodges  with  un- 
believers. *  *  *  Do  no  evil  that  good 
may  come.  You  can  never  reform  any- 
thing by  unequally  voking  yourself 
with  ungodly  men." — D.  L.  Moody. 

"Secret  societies  are  not  needed  for 
any  good   purpose,   and  may  be   used 


for  any  bad  purpose  whatsoever.  In 
my  opinion  such  societies  should  be 
prohibited  by  law." — Wendell  Phillips. 
"Masonic  oaths  are  a  conspiracy 
against  God  and  man.  They  are  not  re- 
pented of  while  they  are  adhered  to. 
refusing  to  renounce  is  adhering.  Ad- 
herence makes  them  partakers  of  oth- 
er men's  sins.  To  laugh  about  the  ab- 
duction of  Morgan  is  laughing  about 
murder." — Charles  G.  Finney. 

"A  more  perfect  agent  for  devising 
and  executing  conspiracies  against 
church  and  state  could  scarcely  have 
been  conceived." — Charles  Francis 
Adams. 

"We  will  not  tolerate  our  members 
uniting  with  the  Masonic  or  other  infi- 
del societies." — Augustant  Lutheran 
Synod. 

"The  German  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Synod  of  Missouri,  Ohio,  and  other 
states  recognize  lodgism  as  diamet- 
rically opposed  to  the  Christian  relig- 
ion. The  very  essence  of  the  Christian 
religion  is  the  doctrine  of  salvation 
by  the  grace  of  God,  through  faith  in 
Christ's  vicarious  atonement;  the  re- 
ligion of  the  lodge  is  salvation  by 
man's  own  efforts.  These  two  are  in- 
compatible."— Franz  Pieper,  D.  D., 
President  Concordia  Lutheran  Col- 
lege, President  German  Evangelical 
Synod  of  Missouri. 

"I  do  not  see  how  an  intelligent, 
consecrated  Christian  can  belong  to  a 
secret  order.  It  is  express  disobedi- 
ence to  God's  plain  command,  2  Cor. 
6:14.  I  do  not  believe  it  possible  for  a 
man  to  be  an  intelligent  Christian  and 
an  intelligent  Mason  at  the  same 
time." — Rev.  R.  A.  Torrey,  Superin- 
tendent Moody  Bible  Institute,  Chica- 
go,  and   World-renowned  Evangelist. 

"I  have  no  sympathy  with  secret, 
oath-bound  societies.  The  Scripture 
clearly  teaches  that  Christians  should 
not  enter  into  an  alliance  with  ungod- 
ly men.  'Shouldest  thou  help  the  un- 
godly, and  love  them  that  hate  the 
Lord?'  2  Cor.  19:2."— W.  G.  Moore- 
head,  D.  D.,  Professor  in  United 
Presbyterian  Theological  Seminary. 

"He  who  begins  by  halving  his 
heart  between  God  and  mammon  will 
end  by  being  whole-hearted  for  the 
world  and  faint-hearted  for  Christ. 
Therefore  we  urge  upon  Christians 
the  duty  of  separation — separation 
from  associations  that  are  secret,  that 
they  may  live  an  open  life  of  devo- 
tion to  Christ;  separation  from  socie- 
ties that  assess  a  tax  on  time  which 
is  already  mortgaged  for  its  full  value 
to  the  Lord.  We  are  affirming  what  a 
wide  experience  has  taught  us  in  this 
matter.  We  have  never  known  a  good 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


38L 


lodgeman  who  was  a  good  church- 
man."— A.  J.  Gordon,  D.  D.,  late  pastor 
Clarendon  Street  Baptist  Church,  Bos- 
ton. 

The  above  quotations  are  from  a  re- 


cent publicaion  by  Chas.  A.  Blanch- 
ard.  Elder  S.  Hassell  in  the  Gospel 
Messenger  for  May,  1903,  has  the  fol- 
lowing article  on  the  subject  which 
will,  no  doubt,  be  read  with  interest: 


"Modern  Secret  Societies" 


"The  above  is  the  title  of  a  little 
book  of  320  pages,  just  Written  by 
Charles  A.  Blanchard,  President  of 
Wheaton  College,  Wheaton,  111.,  and 
President  of  the  National  Christian 
Association  (opposed  to  secret  socie- 
ties), and  published  and  sold  for  sev- 
enty-five cents,  postpaid,  by  the  Na- 
tional Christian  Association,  221  Wifest 
Madison  street,  Chicago,  Illinois.  In 
thirty  short  chapters  the  auhor,  a 
Congregational  minister,  after  thirty 
years  of  study  of  the  subject,  shows 
(from  the  public  ceremonies  and  the 
published  literature  of  Modern  Secret 
Societies,  from  the  testimony  of  hon- 
orable and  reliable  men  who  have 
been  compelled  by  Divine  grace  to 
withdraw  from  them,  and  also  from 
the  teachings  of  the  Scriptures),  the 
heathenish  origin,  nature,  motives, 
ceremonies,  oaths,  tendencies,  accom- 
paniments, and  results  of  tnese  in- 
stitutions and  instruments  of  Satan. 
Nine-tenths  of  their  own  members  do 
not  understand  their  real  character 
and  design.  Tens  of  thousands  of 
their  members  have  left  them  in  dis- 
gust, and  they  themselves  say  that 
forty  per  cent  leave  them  every  year. 
They  are  not  only  Pharisaic,  but  they 
are  pagan  religious,  contemptuously 
ignoring  the  two  greatest  facts  in  hu- 
man history,  sin  and  redemption  from 
sin  by  the  atoning  death  of  the  Son 
of  God.  They,  like  all  other  works  of 
Satan,  seek  darkness  rather  than 
light  (John  3:19-21).  Like  all  false 
religions,  they  have  altars,  and 
creeds,  and  baptisms,  and  prayers, 
and  hymns,  and  professions  of  rever- 
ence and  morality  and  charity,  and 
burials,  and  resurrections;  and  some 
of  them  have  brutal  initiations,  inde- 
cent and  frightful  ceremonies,  bloody 
oaths,  and  mock  and  even  real  mur- 
ders. They  cause  perjured  testimony 
and  the  perversion  and  defeat  of  jus- 
tice in  the  courts.  They  foster  confi- 
dence in  men,  instead  of  confidence  in 
God.  They  have  fine  buildings  and  re- 
galia, blasphemous  titles,  and  impos- 
ing rituals,  and  pay  large  salaries  to 
their  high  officials,  and  they  give 
back,  to  their  afflicted  members  or 
their  families  but  a  small  proportion 


of  what  is  paid  to  them.  They  will 
not  receive  into  membership  the  most 
needy,  who  can  not  pay  their  dues; 
and,  if  their  members  become  too 
poor  and  needy  to  pay  their  dues, 
they  help  those  members  or  their  fam- 
lies  no  more.  They  are  substitutes  for 
Christianity,  and  as  opposite  as  they 
can  be  to  the  spirit  of  true  Christian- 
ity. The  best  men,*  as  a  class,  will 
have  nothing  to  do  with  them;  or,  if 
they  are,  in  their  youth,  inveigled 
into  them,  they  leave  them  in  after 
years.  In  the  large  cities,  the  worst  of 
men  abound  in  them,  and  their  mid- 
night meetings  become  schools  of  vice 
in  every  form.  In  different  countries 
they  pretend  to  agree  with  the  relig- 
ions of  those  countries — Christianity, 
Judaism,  Mohammedanism,  Buddh- 
ism, Brahminism — anything  to  cap- 
ture members.  The  ancient  heathen 
world  was  filled  with. them,  and  so  is 
the  modern  heathen  world.  They  belie 
the  fundamental  truths  of  the  Bible, 
that  men  are  sinners,  and  indispensa- 
bly need  regeneration  by  the  Spirit 
of  God,  and  redemption  of  the  Son  of 
God,  repentance  toward  God  and  faith 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  love  of  God 
above  all  other  beings  and  love  of  all 
our  fellowmen  as  we  love  ourselves. 
The  most  of  the  members  of  Secret 
Societies  either  do  not  belong  to  any 
professedly  Christian  church,  or  care 
but  little  for  it,  thinking  that  the 
lodge  is  a  good  enough  church  for 
them.  Satan,  the  arch-enemy  of  God 
and  man,  the  great  deceiver  of  the 
human  race,  thus  transforms  himself 
into  an  angel  of  light,  and  deludes 
millions  to  their  eternal  ruin.  The 
pretensions  of  Modern  Secret  Socie- 
ties to  great  antiquity  is,  to  all  in- 
formed people,  perfectly  ridiculous. 
The  Society  of  Jesuits,  the  oldest, 
worst,  and  most  powerful  of  all  Mod- 
ern Secret  Societies,  "a  naked  sword 
whose  hilt  is  at  Rome  and  whose 
point  is  everywhere,"  and  whose  Gen- 
eral is  called  "the  Black  Pope,"  and 
which  was  the  mightiest  agent  used 
by  the  Roman  Catholic  Pope  in  keep- 
ing the  Protestant  Reformation  out 
of  Southern  Europe,  was  founded  in 
Italy  by  Ignatius  Loyola  in  1537;  and, 
for    its    corrupt    intrigues    in    politics, 


382 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL,    INFORMATION 


the  Society  has  been  banished  from 
the  most  civilized  countries,  but  it  is 
allowed  to  exist  in  the  United  States. 
The  next  oldest  Modern  Secret  Socie- 
ty is  Masonry,  founded  in  the  Apple 
Tree  Tavern  in  London  in  1717,  which 
first  had  only  one  degree,  but  wishing 
to  get  more  money  out  of  its  dupes, 
and  buy  more  liquor,  and  have  more 
fun,  increased  the  number  of  degrees 
to  over  a  thousand.  The  Odd  Fellows, 
the  next  oldest,  was  founded  in  Lon- 
don in  1745.  Mr.  Blanchard  tells  not 
only  about  these,  but  also  about  other 
Modern  Secret  Societies — Temper- 
ance, Insurance,  Industrial,  Patriotic, 
and  College  Secret  Societies;  and  he 
presents,  in  the  smallest  space,  the 
most  important  and  reliable  informa- 
tion in  regard  to  them. 

It  appears  that  secret  societies  of 
various  sorts  are  so  common  and  of 
such  power  now  that  a  laboring  man 
cannot  go  into  any  ofi  the  industrial 
centres  and  labor  peacefully  and  suc- 
cessfully without  uniting  with  some 
one  of  those  secret  orders,  and  some 
of  our  brethren  living  in  such  places 
plead  this  as  an  excuse  for  joining  a 


secret  order;  but  our  churches  should 
stand  firm  on  this  question  and  utter- 
ly repudiate,  as  they  have  in  the  past, 
all  such  secret  orders,  and  after  a 
brother  has  been  duly  instructed, 
warned  and  admonished  in  regard  to 
these  things,  if  he  will  not  heed  he 
should  be  excommunicated;  for  in- 
stead of  the  prevalence  and  power  of 
secret  orders  being  a  justifiable  ex- 
cuse or  reason  for  uniting  with  them 
it  is  rather  a  strong  reason  why  they 
should  not  be  tolerated  by  the 
churches,  for  it  shows  that  such  so- 
cieties are  dangerous  to  our  liberties 
and  social  order.  A  brother  is  not 
obliged  to  live  in  such  places  to  make 
an  honest  support — he  can  go  to  the 
country,  to  the  farm,  if  need  be,  and 
there  live  independent  of  such  socie- 
ties. The  strongest  obligations  that 
we  are  under  in  this  world  are  those 
that  we  are  under  to  our  blessed  Sav- 
iour and  our  brethren,,  and  those  obli- 
gations require  us  to  avoid  all  such 
things,  and  we  should  discharge  our 
obligations  in  this  particular,  though 
we  lose  financially,  and  though  we 
have  to  flee  from  one  part  of  the 
country  to  another  to  do  so." 


Instrumental  Music  in  Churches 


Among  the  legal  ceremonies  under 
the  temple  service  instrumental 
music  is  found,  but  not  among  the 
churches  of  Christ  and  His  Apostles. 
Under  ceremonial  law  we  also  find 
many  forms  and  customs,  many  types 
and  shadows,  many  priests  with 
priestly  robes,  many  sacrifices,  fes- 
tivals, tithings,  etc.;  and  finding  them 
there  let  us  wisely  leave  them  there. 
Had  they  been  needed  in  the  gospel 
church  Christ  would  have  brought 
them  over.  Since  He  did  not,  they  are 
not  needed,  and  should  remain  where 
He  left  them.  And  this  applies  as 
strongly  to  instrumental  music  as  to 
other  temple  services  and  legal  cere- 
monies. (Acts  15;  Heb.  9:10;  10:1-9; 
Rom.   10:4.) 

Recently  some  of  our  churches  in 
Georgia  have  introduced  the  organ  in 
their  service  which  has  caused  con- 
fusion, bitterness,  strife  and  will  evi- 
dently lead  to  permanent  division  un- 
less abandoned.  The  plea  for  musical 
instruments  in  the  churches  is  based 
upon  the  fact  that  it  is  not  condemned 
in  the  New  Testament.  Neither  are 
Sunday  Schools,  Missionary  Societies 
Secret  Societies,  Christmas  Trees, 
Cake-Walks,  and  various  other  things 
tolerated   and    practiced   by   Arminian 


churches  condemned  in  plain  terms 
in  the  New  Testament;  and  the  same 
reasoning  or  fellowship  that  would 
allow  the  introduction  of  instrumental 
music  would  also  allow  the  introduc- 
tion of  any  other  thing  not  plainly 
condemned.  Christ  established  His 
church  and  thoroughly  furnished  her 
with  all  good  works  and  useful  things, 
and  the  only  safe  rule  by  which  to 
measure  the  service  of  God's  house, 
to  glorify  Him,  and  benefit  His  peo- 
ple is  that  the  things  needful  for  the 
church  of  Christ  were  placed  in  the 
church  by  Christ  and  His  Apostles 
and  the  absence  of  a  thing  is  its  di- 
vine disapproval  and  everlasting  con- 
demnation. 

On  being  asked  "When  and  by 
whom  was  instrumental  music  first 
introduced  in  Christian  worship,"  Eld- 
er Sylvester  Hassell,  an  authority  on 
church    history    replied: 

"Cain  built  the  first  city,  and  named 
it  Enoch  after  his  son;  and  Jubal,  a 
descendant  of  Cain,  invented  the  first 
musical  instruments,  the  harp  and  the 
organ  (Gen.  4:17,  21).  Musical  instru- 
ments were  used  in  the  tabernacle 
and  temple  service,  as  well  as  by  the 
'companies  of  prophets,'  and  David, 
and  Elisha.  The     apostolic     churches 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


383 


used  no  musical  instruments.  The 
flute  was  first  used  at  Alexandria,  in 
Egypt,  about  190  A.  D.,  but  the  harp 
was  soon  substituted  for  it;  but  in- 
struments were  very  little  used  in 
church  worship  before  the  fifth  cen- 
tury, and  towards  the  close  of  the 
sixth  century  they  were  prohibited  by 
Pope  Gregory.  The  organ,  which  was 
already  used  in  theatres,  seemed  to 
have  been  first  used  in  public  wor- 
ship by  Pope  Vitalian  (G58-672);  but 
organs  were  never  regarded  with  fav- 
or by  the  Greek  Catholics,  and  they 
were  for  hundreds  of  years  vehement- 
ly opposed  in  the  Roman  Catholic  and 
Protestant  churches.  In  Scotland  the 
Protestants,  except  a  few  Episcopa- 
lians, still  refuse  to  use  the  organ  in 
public  worship.  The  Scriptural  objec- 
tions of  Primitive  Baptists  to  the  use 
of  unchristian  choirs  and  of  musical 
instruments  in  public  worship  are  the 
total  absence  of  any  precept  or  exam- 
ple of  their  use  in  the  apostolic 
churches;  and  the  fact  that  the  Apos- 
tle Paul  requires  us  to  sing  praise  to 
the  Lord  with  grace  and  melody  in 
our  hearts;  unchristian  choirs  have 
no  grace  in  their  hearts,  so  that  their 
pretended  praises  to  God  are  but 
mockeries;  and  dead  musical  instru- 
ments have  neither  grace  nor  hearts." 
iHe  again  says:  "In  the  Roman 
Catholic  Centennial,  April  28th,  1908, 
in  'St.  Patrick's  Cathedral,'  in  New 
York  City,  'Cardinal  Gibbons'  glori- 
fied,   among    other     human     vanities, 


'the  peal  of  the  organ  and  the  chant 
of  the  choir.'  Some  of  the  Protestant 
daughters  of  Rome  use  a  full  orches- 
tra in  their  meetings." 

Again  in  reference  to  the  organ  and 
other  departures:  "These  new  things, 
unknown  in  the.  New  Testament  and 
among  the  Baptists  for  eighteen  hun- 
dred years,  have  been  rigidly,  cruelly, 
and  distressingly  pressed  upon  the 
Primitive  Baptists  of  Georgia,  to  a 
deep,  wide-spreading,  and,  unless 
they  are  abandoned,  to  an  apparently 
permanent  division  among  our  peo- 
ple; the  introducers  and  promoters  of 
these  inventions  preferring  them  to 
the  fellowship  of  their  brethren  who 
stand  in  the  good  old  way  of  the 
Apostles  and  our  Baptist  predeces- 
sors. These  innovations  have  not  been 
so  persistently,  unfeelingly,  and  dis- 
astrously pressed  anywhere  else 
among  our  people." 

Elder  J.  H.  Oliphant  in  a  recent 
publication  wisely  and  truthfully 
says:  "I  regret  to  see  that  in  some 
places  our  people  are  inclined  to  this 
worldly  practice.  It  is  easier  for  us 
to  keep  such  things  (organs),  out 
than  it  is  to  get  them  out  after  they 
once  secure  a  footing  among  us.  If 
we  begin  by  fellowshipping  these 
things  in  others,  while  we  don't  want 
them  ourselves,  we  may  expect  this 
to  be  all  they  will  ask  at  the  present, 
but  they  will  press  them  more  by  and 
by.  I  believe  it  is  best  and  safest  to 
insist  on  these  things  being  kept  out." 


Christmas 


Not  even  the  year,  much  less  the 
exact  month  and  day  when  Christ 
was  born,  is  stated  in  the  Scriptures 
or  known  to  mortals.  For  some  wise 
purpose,  it  was,  by  chronologists,  lost 
sight  of.  It  most  probably  occurred  a 
few  months  before  the  death  of  Herod 
the  Great,  four  years  before  the  com- 
mon Christian  era,  in  the  year  of 
Rome  750,  and  in  the  year  of  the 
world  4,000.  Learned  men  have  inves- 
tigated this  point,  but  with  all  their 
research  have  not  been  able  to  fix  the 
precise  day,  month  or  year.  The  6th 
of  January,  was  in  the  second  and 
third  centuries  thought  to  have  been 
the  day;  but  it  was  decided  by  the 
Catholics  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  cen- 
turies that  the  25th  of  December  was 


the  day.  Even  the  early  Christians 
were  divided  on  this  subject  and,  of 
course,  it  must  be  a  matter  of  uncer- 
tainty to  all  succeeding  generations. 
In  view  of  this  uncertainty,  how 
groundless  and  puerile  appears  the 
custom  of  the  Romish  and  English,  as 
well  as  other  communions,  in  holding 
sacred  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  Decem- 
ber (new  style)  as  the  day  of  Christ's 
nativity,  and  adorning  their  houses  of 
worship  with  flowers  and  evergreens 
as  a  part  of  their  religious  devotion 
on  that  day."  Fallen  humanity  is 
prone  to  the  worship  of  "days,  and 
months,  and  times,  and  years,"  and 
God  has,  no  doubt,  purposely  hid  the 
exact  time  of  His  Son's  advent  into 
the  world.  Let  us  worship  God  alone 
and  esteem  every  day  as  a  gift  from 
the  Lord. 


384 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


One  Sentence— Longest  in  Print 


The  following  long  but  replete  sen- 
tence on  the  chaotic  nineteenth  cen- 
tury is  from  the  pen  of  that  learned, 
able  and  accurate  historian — 'Elder 
Sylvester  Hassell — and  may  be  found 
on  pages  580,  581,  582,  583,  584,  585, 
586,  and  587,  of  the  Church  History 
by  C.  B.  and  S.  Hassell.  It  is  such  a 
rare  literary  gem  and  gives  such  a 
correct  birdseye  view  of  the  past  hun- 
dred years,  that  the  editor  felt  dis- 
posed to  give  it  space,  trusting  that 
the  reader  may  be  benefited  by  its 
perusal. 

"The  nineteenth  is  the  century  of 
the  rise  and  fall  of  Napoleon  Bona- 
parte, in  a  long  series  of  bloody  and 
demoralizing  European  wars;  the  dis- 
memberment of  the  Turkish  Empire 
by  the  Greek  Revolution,  and  of  the 
Spanish  Empire  by  that  of  Mexico 
and  South  America;  the  repeated  rev- 
olutions in  France;  the  War  of  1812 
between  England  and  the  United 
States;  the  Wiar  between  the  United 
States  and  Mexico;  the  War  between 
the  Northern  and  Southern  States  of 
the  American  Union;  the  unification 
of  Germany,  and  that  of  Italy;  the 
numerous  wars  of  England  (the  most 
wa'like,  self-aggrandizing,  wealthy 
and  powerful  nation  of  modern 
times),  for  the  maintenance  and  in- 
crease of  her  empire  and  claims, 
among  which  contests  should  be  par- 
ticularized her  wars  in  1839-1842,  to 
force  the  impious  opium  trade,  and 
missions  incidentally,  upon  China — in 
1840,  with  her  allies,  to  conquer  Syria 
for  the  Turks  from  a  rebellious  vas- 
sal, just  as  England  has  repeatedly 
upheld  the  Turks  in  their  frightful 
and  wholesale  massacres  of  "Christ- 
ians" in  the  Turkish  Empire  and 
Asiatic  provinces — in  1854-6,  in  con- 
nection with  France  and  Sardinia,  to 
defend  Turkey  from  Russia — in  1857, 
to  preserve  her  dominion  in  India 
from  the  Sepoy  rebellion — iin  1857- 
1860,  to  open  China  better  to  trade 
and  missions — and  in  1882,  to  take 
possession  of  Egypt,  and  foreclose,  at 
the  mouth  of  cannon  and  rifle,  her 
mortgage  on  that  abject  and  impov- 
erished people,  and  to  defend  ber 
shares  in  the  Suez  Canal  and  hei 
shortest  route  to  India;  the  course  of 
England,  during  recent  years,  in  forc- 
ing, by  her  fleets  and  treaties,  the 
wretched  liquor  traffic  upon  India, 
Siam,  Madagascar,  Griqualand,  etc., 
degrading  the  heathens  far  below 
their  former  condition,  in  order  to  in- 
crease her  revenue;  the  apparent  and 


temporary  recognition,  by  the  Euro- 
pean nations  of  a  special  and  merciful 
and  Almighty  Providence  in  staying 
the  victorious  career  of  Napoleon 
Bonaparte,  followed  by  their  speedy 
relapse  into  infidelity;  the  almost 
universal  emancipation  of  slaves 
and  the  very  extensive  liberation  of 
civilized  peoples  from  political  op- 
pression; the  improvement  of  the 
manners  of  general  society — less  open 
indecency,  intemperance,  profanity 
and  dueling;  the  milder  character  of 
legislation;  the  increase  of  charities 
and  asylums  for  the  afflicted  and  un- 
fortunate; the  great  extension  of  pop- 
ular education;  the  unprecedented 
progress  of  scientific  discoveries  and 
practical  inventions,  lightening  physic- 
al labor,  and  multiplying  the  conveni- 
ences, comforts  and  luxuries  of  life; 
the  discovery  and  mining  of  gold  in 
California  and  Australia;  the  estab- 
lishment of  manufactures,  and  great 
increase  of  commerce,  and  excessive 
devotion  to  business  and  money-get- 
ting; the  rapid  increase  of  wealth, 
and  pauperism,  and  demoralization, 
and,  in  most  civilized  countries,  of 
recent  crime;  morbid  sympathy  for 
and  condoning  of  wrong-doing;  the 
general  prevalence  of  quackery,  puff- 
ery and  dishonesty;  unparalleled  adul- 
terations of  foods  and  drinks  and 
medicines;  the  increased  licentious- 
ness of  theatrical  performances;  the 
great  increase  of  gambling  in  old  and 
new  forms,  including  speculation  in 
grain  and  cotton  futures;  the  gradual 
but  steady  decay  of  the  appreciation 
of  the  life-long  sacredness  of  the  mar- 
riage relation,  the  relaxation  of  the 
laws  of  divorce,  and  the  alarming 
multiplication  of  divorces  and  of,  "con- 
secutive polygamy"  (the  New  Eng- 
land States  of  the  Union  occupying  a 
miserable  pre-eminence,  and  Protest- 
ant countries  far  surpassing  Roman 
Catholic  countries,  in  this  corrupting 
disregard  of  the  Divine  law  of  mar- 
riage) ;  the  increasing  frequency  of 
obfoetation  and  foeticide,  in  place  of 
infanticide  practiced  by  the  Pagans; 
the  recent  increasing  corruption  of 
the  daily  press,  in  the  large  cities,  and 
of  the  use  of  the  telegraph,  expiating 
upon  all  the  details  of  crime,  and 
thus  he'ping  to  make  crime  epidem- 
ic; the  infidel  tendency  of  a  large 
body  of  periodical  literature  and  of 
science  falsely  so  called;  the  impur- 
ity and  corrupting  influence  of  much 
of  modern  art;  the  fact  that  the  na- 
tions of  Europe  spend,  on  an  average, 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


385 


four  and  a  half  times  more  for  war 
than  for  education — that  England 
spends  about  twenty  dollars  per  year 
for  every  man,  woman  and  child,  for 
spiritous  liquors,  and  that  the  United 
States  spends  about  seventeen  dol- 
lars annually  per  capita  for  the 
same  purpose,  while  spending  for 
each  inhabitant  only  about  one  dol- 
lar annually  for  religion  and  about 
two  dollars  for  education;  the  great 
increase  of  insanity  and  idiocy;  the 
disruption  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
communion  (the  Old  Catholics,  in  Eu- 
rope, seceding  in  1870 — 'the  Episco- 
palian (the  Reformed  branch,  in  the 
United  States,  going  off  in  1873) — the 
Presbyterian  (the  Cumberland  or  Ar- 
minian  Presbyterians,  in  the  western 
and  southwestern  States  of  the  Union, 
withdrawing  from  their  Calvanistic 
brethren  in  1810;  the  Free  Church 
in  Scotland,  from  the  Established 
Church,  in  1843;  the  New  School,  in 
the  United  States,  separating  from 
the  Old  School  in  1837,  but  re-uniting 
in  1869;  and  the  Southern  separating 
from  the  Northern  in  1861)— the  Bap- 
tist (the  Old  School,  in  the  United 
States,  separating  from  the  New 
School  in  1828-42;  and  the  New 
School  separating  into  Northern  and 
Southern  in  1845;  the  Strict  Baptists, 
in  England,  separating  from  the  Par- 
ticular Baptists  in  1835) — the  Metho- 
dist (dividing  into  about  a  dozen 
sects;  and,  in  the  United  States,  sep- 
arating into  Northern  and  Southern 
in  1844) — and  the  Society  of  Friends 
(some  Quakers,  in  Ireland,  becoming 
heterodox  in  1813;  and  the  Hicksite, 
in  the  United  States,  withdrawing 
from  the  old  Orthodox  Quakers  in 
1827) ;  a  very  extensive  decay  of 
their  ancient  faith  among  Jews,  Brah- 
mins, Buddhists,  Mohammedans  and 
Protestants  (the  latter  almost  univer- 
sally abandoning  their  original  Cal- 
vinism for  Catholic  Arminianism,  and 
many  going  off  even  into  Pelagianism 
and  Universalism)  ;  the  decayed  and 
deadened  condition  of  Greek  Cathol- 
icism; the  vigorous  revival  and  blas- 
phemous culmination  of  Roman  Ca- 
tholicism (Ultramontanism),  regain- 
ing a  significance  and  influence  such 
as  it  had  not  had  for  centuries  (the 
deadly  wound  being  healed),  in  the 
re-establishment  of  Jesuitism  and  the 
Inquisition  (1814) — jthe  murder  of  two 
hundred  female  and  nearfy  two  thou- 
sand male  Protestants  in  Southern 
France  (1815)— the  re-invigoration  of 
the  Propaganda  Society  (1817) — the 
founding  of  the  Lyons  Propagation 
Society  (1822)  and  of  numerous  Col- 
leges   and    Theological    Seminaries — • 


the  renewed  ardor  of  a  large  number 
of  old  Catholic  Societies — the  pur- 
chase, by  the  'Society  for  the  Holy 
Childhood  of  Jesus,'  of  about  400,000 
Chinese  orphan  children,  at  about 
three  cents  apiece,  in  order  to  bring 
up  and  'baptize'  them  in  the  Catholic 
communion,  and  the  purchase  of  nu- 
merous pretended  conversions  from 
the  lower  classes  of  Protestants  in 
Europe — the  gathering  in  of  thou- 
sands from  the  Episcopalians  in  Eng- 
land, and  the  very  rapid  increase  of 
their  numbers,  in  the  United  States, 
from  immigration — the  sending  out  of 
three  thousand  priests  on  foreign  mis- 
sion work,  disseminating,  among  the 
heathens,  the  most  corrupting  Jesuit- 
ical casuistry  and  idolatry  in  the 
name  of  Christianity,  and,  at  times, 
especially  in  remote  islands,  the  most 
shameless  French  licentiousness, 
worse  than  that  previously  practiced 
by  the  heathens  themselves — the  at- 
firmation,  by  Pope  Pius  IX.,  in  1854, 
of  the  sinlessness  (Immaculate  con- 
ception) o£  the  Virgin  Mary,  'the 
Mother  of  God,  and  the  Queen  of 
Heaven'  (thus  still  more  than  ever 
justifying  and  encouraging  the  in- 
creasing Roman  Catholic  Mariolatry, 
or  idolatrous  worship  of  Mary,  to 
whom  are  addressed  numerous  pray- 
ers, beseeching  her  to  persuade  or 
command  her  son  Jesus  to  grant  the 
petitions  of  the  suppliants) — the  is- 
suance by  the  same  pope,  in  1864,  of 
the  "Syllabus  of  Errors,"  cfaiming 
still  the  'Church's'  power  to  use  tem- 
poral force,  and  denouncing  non-Cath- 
olic schools  and  the  separation  of 
Church  and  State — the  declaration  of 
the  Vatican  Council,  July  18th,  1870, 
in  the  midst  of  a  terrific  tempest  of 
black  clouds  and  incessant  lightning 
flash  and  thunder  peal,  of  the  Infalli- 
bility of  the  Pope  (thus  making  him 
God  on  earth,  the  iast  Supreme  Judge 
of  the  human  race  in  all  questions  of 
faith  and  morals,  from  whose  decision 
no  one  can  deviate  without  loss  of  sal- 
vation— see  2  Thess.  ii.  3,  4),  follow- 
ed, in  speedy  Divine  retribution,  the 
very  next  day,  July  19th,  1870,  by  the 
declaration  of  war  against  Germany 
by  Napoleon  III.,  the  political  support- 
er of  the  papacy,  which  contest  in 
two  months  destroyed  the  Empire  of 
France  and  the  temporal  power  of  the 
pope — and  the  Encyclical  Letter  of 
Pope  Leo  XIII.,  Nov.  1st,  1885,  'De 
Civitatum  Gubernatione  Christiana' 
(Concerning  the  Christian  Govern- 
ment of  States),  enjoining  upon  all 
Catholics  to  devote  all  their  energies 
to  influence  and  control  the  politics  of 
the  world,  and  to  remodel  all  States 
and   Constitutions  upon   Catholic   prin- 


386 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


ciples  (and  thus  carry  the  world  back 
to  the  midnight  of  the  Dark  Ages, 
and  to  the  essentially  political,  as 
well  as  to  the  essentially  formal,  le- 
gal, ceremonial  and  conditional,  re- 
ligion of  Pagan  Rome,  and  to  unspir- 
itualize  and  corrupt  Christ's  profess- 
ing kingdom  by  making  it  a  kingdom 
of  this  world) ;  the  appearance  of 
fresh  proof  that  God  has  a  people 
even  in  Roman  Catholicism,  or  Mys- 
tical Babylon  (out  of  whose  fellow- 
ship He  calls  them  to  come,  Revela- 
tion xviii.  4),  in  the  existence  of  true 
spiritual  religion  among  a  few  Catho- 
lics of  South  Germany,  leading  them 
to  feel  the  worthlessness  of  empty 
pomp  and  ceremony,  the  sinfulness 
and  helpfulness  of  man,  his  absolute 
dependence  on  the  mercy  of  God,  and 
need  of  an  inward  union  with  Christ 
through  repentance  and  faith,  provok- 
ing far  more  bitter  hatred  and  perse- 
cution than  even  infidelity  provokes 
from  the  bigoted  followers  of  the 
pope — >and  in  the  existence  of  similar 
humble  spirituality,  looking  beyond 
all  creatures  to  God,  and  lovingly 
serving  and  spontaneously  and  cheer- 
fully praising  Him  in  the  midst  of 
life-long  privations  and  sufferings, 
among  some  of  the  aged,  poor  and 
ignorant  Catholics  of  Ireland,  griev- 
ously oppressed  by  their  English 
lords;  the  remarkable  outpouring  ot 
the  Divine  Spirit,  in  the  first  years 
of  the  century,  upon  England  and  the 
United  States,  and  large  ingatherings 
into  the  Protestant  communions;  the 
vast  increase  of  the  profession,  in 
recent  years,  without  the  evident  pos- 
session, of  Christianity  (more  mem- 
bers having  been  added  to  the 
'churches'  in  this  century,  chiefly 
since  1850,  than  their  entire  number 
of  members  at  its  beginning),  espec- 
ially the  deceiving  and  gathering  in 
of  large  numbers  of  the  young,  par- 
ticularly young  females,  by  Sunday 
Schools,  and  by  preaching  loose  doc- 
trine or  no  doctrine,  and  by  other 
myriad  human  means  and  machinery 
(often  conducted  by  so-called  'evange- 
lists' at  a  stipulated  price  of  from 
$25  to  $200  per  week),  protracted  and 
distracted  meetings,  perversions  of 
Scripture,  fabulous  stories,  anxious 
seats,  mourners'  benches,  affecting 
tunes,  sobs,  sighs,  groans,  convul- 
sions, human  resolutions,  hand-shak- 
ing, etc.,  etc.,  etc.,  the  secularization 
or  worldly  assimilation  of  the  pro- 
fessing 'church;'  the  substitution  of 
money-based  societies  for  the  church 
of  God,  and  of  human  learning  and 
human  boards  for  the  Spirit  of  God; 
the  old  characteristically  and  essen- 
tially Jesuitical  principle  of  systemat- 


ically indoctrinating  the  minds  of  the 
young  with  false  religion,  sifting 
nearly  the  whole  juvenile  population 
through  the  'Sabbath  School,'  substi- 
tuting the  feeble  and  humanly-devised 
influence  of  the  'Sabbath  School'  teach- 
er for  the  potent  and  scripturally-en- 
joined  influence  of  the  home  and  the 
church,  and  resulting,  in  a  large  pro- 
portion of  instances,  according  to  the 
most  recent  and  extensive  and  relia- 
ble investigations,  in  filling  the 
youthful  mind  with  irreverent  relig- 
ionism and  hatred  of  the  Bible  and 
the  church;  the  establishing  or  get- 
ting control  of  seminaries,  colleges 
and  universities  for  the  same  pros- 
elyting purposes,  (Protestants,  in  this 
as  in  numerous  other  matters,  merely 
copying  the  old  Catholic  methods) ; 
the  vile  character  of  much  of  the  fic- 
tion found  in  'Sabbath  School'  libra- 
ries; theatrical  preaching,  greeted 
with  laughter  and  applause;  the  great 
increase  of  hireling  'shepherds,'  who, 
instead  of  feeding  the  flock,  feed 
themselves  upon  the  flock,  caring  not 
for  the  sheep  (whom  they  hasten  to 
leave  at  any  time  for  a  larger  price 
elsewhere),  and  lording  it  over  the 
flock  for  filthy  lucre's  sake  (Ezek. 
xxiv;  John  x;  Acts  xx.  33-35;  1  Peter 
v.  2,3) ;  the  multiplication  of  almost 
all  species  of  worldly  amusements  in 
connection  with  the  so-called 
'churches,'  for  the  entertainment  and 
retention  of  the  young  members  who, 
having  no  spiritual  life,  cannot  par- 
take of  spiritual  food,  and  for  the 
raising  of  money  for  pretended  relig- 
ious purposes — such  as  strawberry 
and  ice-cream  festivals,  oyster  sup- 
pers, concerts,  burlesque  hymns, 
comic  songs,  amateur  theatricals, 
Sunday  School  excursions,  and  pic- 
nics, and  banners,  and  emblems,  Christ- 
mas trees,  Easter  cards,  charity  balls, 
and  'church  fairs,  (with  their  rafflings 
or  gamblings),  rightly  termed 
'abysses  of  horrors,'  mingling  trade 
with  sham  charity,  obtaining  money  un- 
der false  pretenses,  teaching  the  selfish 
and  thoughtless  patrons  how  to  be  'be- 
nevolent without  benevolence  charita- 
ble without  charity,  devout  without  de- 
votion, how  to  give  without  giving  and 
to  be  paid  for  'doing  good,' — thus  at- 
tempting to  serve  God  and  mammon, 
and  turning  what  is  claimed  to  be 
God's  house  of  prayer  into  a  house 
of  merchandise  and  a  den  of  thieves, 
and  loudly  calling  for  the  Master's 
scourge  to  cleanse  the  temple  of  its 
defilements  (Jews,  Catholics  and  Pro- 
testants, all  practicing  these  abomi- 
nations) ;  the  increasing  tendency,  as 
in  the  latter  part  of  the  Dark  Ages 
under   the    teachings   of   the    Pope    of 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


387 


Rome,  to  reduce  all  the  command- 
ments to  one,  Give  Gold,  as  tnougn 
this  were  the  one  thing  needful,  and 
everything  else  were  of  no  value,  for 
the  salvation  of  the  soul;  the  almost 
universal  tendency  of  people  to  try 
to  pull  the  mote  out  of  other  peo- 
ple's eyes,  and  not  to  think  of  the 
beam  in  their  own  eyes — to  busy 
themselves  chiefly  with  the  means 
and  ways  morally  improving  others, 
without  beginning  with  their  own 
moral  improvement,  resulting  in  ex- 
travagances and  abortions;  the  ■ex- 
huming and  deciphering  of  the  an- 
cient monumental  records  of  Egypt, 
Assyria  and  Babylonia,  all  tending  to 
illustrate  and  confirm,  in  the  most 
wonderful  manner,  the  exact  truth- 
fulness of  the  Old  Testament  Scrip- 
tures, at  a  time  when  such  a  confirm- 
ation seems  most  needed  by  an  un- 
believing world;  many  new  transla- 
tions of  the  Scriptures  into  the  lan- 
guages of  both  civilized  and  uncivil- 
ized peoples;  the  union  of  the  Luther- 
an and  the  Reformed  'Church,'  in 
Prussia,  at  the  command  of  the  king, 
into  the  'Evangelical  Church,'  and  the 
revival  of  'Old  Lutheranism'  there; 
the  Tractarian  or  Anglo-Catholic 
movement  in  the  'Church  of  England,' 
resulting  in  Ritualism,  Romanism  and 
Skepticism;  the  formation  of  the 
Broad-Church  (in  addition  to  the 
High-Church  and  the  low-Church) 
party,  in  the  'Church  of  England' — 
'so  broad  that  you  cannot  see  across 
it,'  says  Mr.  John  Gadsby,  of  London 
— ''the  Church  of  England,'  says  Mr. 
A.  V.  G.  Allen,  of  Cambridge,  Mass., 
'thus  remaining  open  to  all  the  tides 
of  thought  and  spiritual  life  which 
have  swept  over  the  nation,  and  thus 
able  to  retain  in  its  folds  those  whom 
no  other  form  of  organized  Christian- 
ity could  tolerate;'  the  appearance, 
in  1860,  of  the  rationalistic  'Essays 
and  Reviews,'  written  by  seven  Ox- 
ford Episcopalian  teachers,  and,  in 
1862,  of  'Bishop'  Colenso's  'Investiga- 
tions of  the  Penteteuch  and  Joshua,' 
assailing  the  authenticity  and  credi- 
bility of  those  Scriptures  with  the  an- 
tiquated or  surrendered  arguments 
long  current  in  Germany,  and  the  ac- 
quittal of  the  charge  of  heresy,  both 
of  the  Essayists  and  of  Colenso,  by 
the  Privy  Council,  the  highest  eccle- 
siastical court  in  England;  the  dises- 
tablishment of  the  Episcopal  Church' 
in  Ireland  in  1869,  with  its  prospec- 
tive disestablishment  in  England  also, 
before  the  lapse  of  many  years;  the 
reunion,  in  1846,  of  Lutherans,  Epis- 
copalians, Presbyterians,  Congrega- 
tionaiists,  New'  School  Baptists.  Meth- 
odists, Moravians,  and   other  Trinita- 


rian Protestants,  of  all  countries,  in 
an  'Evangelical  .Alliance'  (signifi- 
cantly apostrophized  by  Krummacher, 
in  his  address  of  welcome,  'O  heart- 
stirring  mirage!'),  on  a  doctrinal 
basis  of  Nine  Articles,  the  chief  ob- 
ject avowed  being  to  oppose  the  pro- 
gress of  the  papacy  and  of  more  than 
half-papish  Puseyism;  the  union  of 
nearly  all  Protestants  in  other  Socie- 
ties, Associations,  Diets,  Councils, 
Committees  and  Conferences;  the  or- 
ganization and  operation  of  large 
numbers  of  Bible,  Tract,  Missionary, 
Abstinence  and  Relief  Societies,  and 
of  the  so-called  'Salvation  Army,'  with 
its  eccentricities,  profanities  and  de- 
lusions; the  gathering  of  about  two 
million  communicants  into  the  Pro- 
testant 'churches'  from  heathen 
lands;  the  continued  home  and  for- 
eign missionary  zeal  of  the  Mora- 
vians, which  began  in  1732, — 'accom- 
plishing,' it  is  said,  'the  most  extra- 
ordinary results  with  the  fewest 
means,'  trusting  in  the  providence  of 
God,  choosing  the  poor  and  humble 
fields  (not  of  India  and  China,  but) 
of  Greenland,  Labrador,  the  West 
Indies,  South  Africa  and  Australia, 
and  heroically  doing  rough  work 
which  others  would  not  touch;  the 
obliteration  of  almost  all  distinctions 
between  the  various  Protestant 
'churches;'  the  cloaking  of  the  shal- 
lowest unbelief  under  the  popular  as- 
sertions that  there  should  be  no  doc- 
trine, no  creed,  no  church,  but  per- 
fect liberty  in  all  these  matters;  the 
notion  that  self-styled  sincerity,  no 
matter  what  one  believes,  any  relig- 
ion or  no  religion,  is  all  that  is  nec- 
essary for  salvation;  the  doubt,  sup- 
pression or  denial,  by  the  most  of 
Protestants,  of  many  of  the  vital 
truths  of  Christianity;  a  diminished 
sense  of  sin,  and  a  fainter  conviction 
of  the  indispensability  of  the  atoning 
blood  of  the  Son  of  God  and  of  the 
regenerating  power  of  the  Spirit  of 
God;  the  Pharisaic  principle  of  trans- 
forming religion  from  a  saving  inward 
reality  into  a  vain-glorious  outward 
show;  the  general  contempt  ^nd 
abuse  of  revealed  religion;  a  disbelief 
in  the  special  providence  of  God  ex- 
tending to  all  the  events  of  human 
life;  a  disbelief  in  the  literal,  verbal, 
plenary  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures 
— this  species  of  infidelity  permeat- 
ing, more  or  less,  nearly  all  the  Pro- 
testant 'churches,'  unblushingly  avow- 
ed by  their  most  recent  and  authori- 
tative writers,  and  in  reality  degrad- 
ing the  Scriptures  to  the  level  of  all 
other  books,  containing  a  mixture  of 
truths  and  errors,  which  it  is  left 
for   the      reader   to      discriminate,    ac- 


388 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


cepting  what  he  pleases,  and  rejecting 
what  he  pleases;  the  stigmatizing  of 
those  who  adhere  to  the  old  unpopu- 
lar doctrinal  truths  proclaimed  by  the 
prophets  and  by  Christ  and  His  Apos- 
tles, as  being  '  a  hundred  years  be- 
hind the  times,'  and  as  applying  the 
principles  of  the  cold  understanding 
to  the  language  of  emotion  and  imag- 
ination, and  too  literally  deducing 
doctrines  from  bold  types  and  meta- 
phors, while  at  the  same  time  the  ob- 
jectors admit  that  the  old  system  of 
doctrine  is  made  out  fairly  and  log- 
ically enough,  but  too  rigidly,  from 
the  language  of  the  Scriptures;  the 
steadfast  and  immovabi'e  adherence 
of  'a  very  small  remnant  according  to 
the  election  of  grace'  to  original 
apostolic  principles  and  practices 
(Isaiah  i.  9;  Rom.  xi.  5),  in  the  face 
of  continual  blasts  of  unpopularity, 
ridicule,  slander,  contempt  and  perse- 
cution (Matt.  v.  10-12;  Rom.  iii.  8; 
Acts  xxviii.  22) — only  those  who  have 
eyes  to  see  being  able  to  dfsccrn  the 
unworldly  and  spiritual  motives  of 
these  despised  and  calumniated  ser- 
vants of  the  Most  High  God;  the  rise 
(or  revival)  of  Universalism,  Unitar- 
ianism,  Naturalism,  Anti-Supernatur- 
alism,  Unspiritualism,  Uncloctrinal- 
ism,  Superficial  ism,  Moralism,  Philos- 
ophism,  Transcendentalism,  Pagan- 
ism,    Pantheism,       Humanitarianism, 


Liberalism,  Neologism,  Campbellism, 
Iivingism,  Darbyism,  Puseyism,  Mor- 
monism,  Millerism,  Winebrennerian- 
lsm,  Two-Seedism,  Psychopannych- 
ism,  Non-Resurrectionism,  Annihila- 
tionism,  Universal  Restorationism, 
Pseudo-Spiritualism,  Utilitarianism, 
Rationalism,  Pelagianism,  Scientism, 
Agnosticism,  Omniscienceism,  Pre- 
sumptuousism,  Stoicism,  Materialism, 
Evolutionism,  Fatalism,  Atheism,  Op- 
timism, Pessimism.,  Socialism,  Com- 
munism, Libertinism,  Red  Republi- 
canism, Internationalism,  Nihilism, 
Destructionism,  Dynamitism,  Atrocic- 
ism  and  Anarchism."  * 

The  following  foot-note  is  given  by 
the  author  as  explanation  for  this  one 
long  sentence. 

*  To  economize  space,  as  I  am  per- 
mitted to  make  but  the  briefest  allu- 
sion to  the  most  of  these  matters,  I 
have  presented,  in  this  one  long  sen- 
tence, the  most  faithful  photograph 
that  I  am  able  to  draw  of  the  chaotic 
nineteenth  century.  Wlhile  there  are, 
in  the  picture,  many  bright  scenes, 
there  are  far  more  numerous  spots 
and  vistas  of  darkness.  The  best  in- 
formed and  most  candid  observers 
unite  in  declaring  that,  after  all  our 
progress,  this  is  still  a  very  sinful 
and  miserable  world,  and  man's  only 
well-grounded   hope    is    in   God. 


Our  "Christian"  Nation 


According  to  recent  statistics  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  during 
the  year  1907,  spent  $7,500,000  for 
Foreign  Missions;  $11,000,000  for 
Chewing  Gum;  $27,500,000  for  Drugs; 
$60,500,000  for  Jewelry;  $80,000,000 
for  Millinery;  $178,000,000  for  Confec- 
tionary; $749,500,000  for  Tobacco;  $1,- 
744,447,672  for  Alcoholic  Liquors. 
That  is  to  say,  our  wealthy  "Christ- 
ian" nation,  nearly  all  of  whose  citi- 
zens profess  to  believe  that  the  for- 
eign heathen  are  perishing  eternally 
a  hundred  thousand  a  day,  for  the 
lack  of  the  preached  gospel,  give  only 
$7,500,000  a  year  for  Foreign  Mis- 
sions (less  than  ten  cents  apiece)  for 
saving  the  poor  foreign  heathens  from 
torment;  while  they  spend  half  again 
as  much     for   Chewing     Gum,  nearly 


four  times  as  much  for  Drugs,  eight 
times  as  much  for  Jewelry,  nearly 
eleven  times  as  much  for  Millinery, 
nearly  twenty-four  times  as  much  for 
Confectionery,  about  a  hundred  times 
as  much  for  Tobacco,  and,  what  is  by 
far  the  worst  of  all,  two  hundred  and 
thirty-two  times  as  much  for  Alco- 
holic Liquors!  Judged  by  these  fig- 
ures, the  great  majority  of  our  peo- 
ple, instead  of  being  Christians — 
spiritual,  humble,  and  wise,  are  them- 
selves heathens — carnal,  proud,  and 
foolish.  Few  people  on  earth  are  more 
in  need  of  the  preaching  of  the  free, 
pure,  spiritual,  divine,  almighty,  ever- 
lasting, saving  gospel  of  the  Son  of 
God  than  the  people  of  the  United 
States. — S'.  Hassell  in  Gospel  Messen- 
ger. 


A  Pen  Picture  of  Jesus 


Jesus  Christ  is  the  heart  of  the 
Bible;  He  is  the  Shiloh  in  Genesis; 
the  I  Am  in  Exodus;  the  Star  and 
Sceptre  in  Numbers;  the  Rock  of 
Deuteronomy;      the      Captain    of    the 


Lord's  Host  in  Joshua,  and  the  Re- 
deemer in  Job.  He  is  David's  Lord 
and  Shepherd;  in  the  Song  of  Songs 
He  is  the  Beloved;  in  Isaiah  He  is  the 
"Wonderful  Counselor,  the  Mighty  God,. 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


389 


the  Everlasting  Father,  and  the 
Prince  of  Peace,,  In  Jeremiah  He  is 
the  Lord  our  Righteousness,  In  Dan- 
iel He  is  the  Messiah;  in  Zachariah 
He  is  the  Branch;  in  Haggai  He  is 
the  Desire  of  all  Nations;  in  Malachi 
He  is  the  Messenger  of  the  Covenant 
and  the  Sun  of  Righteousness;  and 
in  the  book  of  Revelation  He  is  the 
Alpha  and  Omega  and  also  the  Morn- 
ing  Star. 

I  summon  thee,  O  execreable  Judas. 
Behold  him  flinging  down  the  thirty 
pieces  of  silver  before  the  chief 
priests  and  elders.  Hear  him  speak 
in  his  agony  of  soul:  "I  have  sinned 
in  that  I  have  betrayed  the  innocent 
blood."  1  summon  thee,  O  Pontius  Pi- 
late, with  thy  immortality  of  shame 
in  the  creeds  of  the  ages.  The  Roman 
procurator  washes  his  hands.  Strange 
sight!  He  speaks:  "I  am  innocent  of 
the  blood  of  this  just  person."  He 
speaks  again:  "I  find  no  fault  in  this 
man."  I  summon  John,  the  heroic  Bap- 
tist. Hear  his  testimony:  "Behold  the 
Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world."  O  loving  and  divine 
John,  the  Evangelist,  what  thinkest 
thou  of  the  Christ?  "He  is  the  Vine, 
the  Way,  the  Truth,  the  Light,  and 
the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  God." 
I  summon  thee,  O  matchless  Paul. 
What  is  thy  testimony?  "He  is  the 
image  of  the  invisible  God.'  '  '  The 
blessed  and  only  Potentate,  the  King 
of  kings,  the  Lord  of  lords."  I  sum- 
mon thee,  Apostle  Peter,  once  confes- 
sor, then  denier,  but  afterwards  pen- 
itent witness  and  heroic  martyr.  What 
is  thy  testimony?   "He  is  the  Christ, 


the  Son  of  the  living  God."  I  summon 
thee,  O  once  doubting  but  always 
brave  Thomas.  Hear  the  testimony  of 
this  witness  as  he  falls  at  the  Mast- 
er's feet  and  exclaims,  "My  Lord  and 
My  God." 

I  summon  thee,  O  Gladstone,  nob- 
lest of  statesmen,  uncrowned  king  of 
the  world,  thou  who  didst  come  in 
contact  with  the  throbbing  life  of  the 
world,  of  politics,  letters,  and  relig- 
ions. What  sayest  thou  concerning 
humanity's  greatest  need?  "I  am  ask- 
ed what  a  man  should  chiefly  look  to 
in  his  progress  through  life,  as  to  the 
power  that  is  to  sustain  him  under 
trials  and  enable  him  manfully  to  con- 
front his  afflictions.  The  older  I  grow, 
the  more  confirmed  I  am  in  the  be- 
lief that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  only  hope 
of  humanity." 

I  summon  thyself,  O  thou  Christ 
of  God,  thou  holiest  of  the  holy,  thou 
who  art  God  of  very  God.  What  sayest 
thou  of  thyself?  "Before  Abraham  was 
I  am."  "I  and  my  Father  are  one." 
"He  that  hath  seen  me,  hath  seen  the 
Father." 

O  men  and  women  in  our  churches, 
I  ask  you  all  in  His  own  glorious 
name  and  in  His  own  solemn  words, 
"What  think  ye  of  Christ?'  "I  be- 
seech you  in  the  name  of  Him  before 
whose  bar  all  must  stand,  that  each 
one  of  you  now  fall  at  Jesus's  feet, 
and  utter  with  Thomas,  out  of  peni- 
tent and  believing  hearts,  this  con- 
fession of  faith  and  love,  "My  Lord 
and  my  God!" — R.  S.  MacArthur,  in 
The  Christian  Herald. 


Civil  War  Record 


The  old  Kehukee  Association  held 
its  regular  session  during  the  four 
years  of  Civil  war  between  the  states, 
and  as  soon  as  hostilities  ceased 
Northern  and  Southern  brethren 
mingled  together  as  usual.  There  was 
no  strife,  discord,  or  ill  feeling,  either 
before  the  war,  during  its  continuance 


or  at  its  close,  between  Northern  and 
Southern  Old  School  or  Primitive 
Baptists;  while  "Missionary"  Bap- 
tists, Pree-Will  Baptists,  Disciples, 
Episcopalians,  Presbyterians,  Metho- 
dists, both  Episcopal  and  Protestant, 
etc.,  etc.,  were  torn  asunder  by  the 
questions  of  war,  and  indulged  in  se- 
vere   denunciations    of    each    other. 


Elder  John  Leland's  Theology 


Our  New  School  Baptist  brethren 
claim  Elder  Leland  as  a  representa- 
tive of  their  doctrine  and  practice  as 
they  do  most  every  other  minister  of 
prominence  of  the  Baptist  denomina- 
tion who  lived  and  labored  before  the 


division  of  ^827-32.  But  Elder  Leland 
not  only  stood  with  the  Old  School 
brethren  in  doctrine— as  appears  from 
his  statement  below, — but  also  in 
practice  in  opposition  to  the  Modern 
Missionary    system,    Sunday    Schools, 


390 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


Boards,  Societies,  etc.,  as  appears 
from  his  published  writings.  See  Life 
of  Leland,  Hassell's  Church  History, 
and  sketch  of  his  life  in  this  work. 

"A  word  of  experience.  In  the  years 
1772-73,  etc.,  when  my  mind  was  so 
solemnly  impressed  with  eternal  real- 
ities, as  to  turn  me  from  the  power 
of  Satan,  unto  the  living  God;  wheth- 
er from  the  Bible  I  read  the  preach- 
ing I  heard,  the  teachings  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  or  some  other  cause,  1 
did  as  firmly  believe  the  following  ar- 
ticles, as  I  believed  that  Jesus  Christ 
was  the  Saviour  of  sinners. 

1.  That  all  men  were  guilty  sin- 
ners, and  that  God  would  be  just  and 
clear,  if  he  damned  them  all. 

2.  That  Christ  did,  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  predestinate 
a  certain  number  of  the  human  family 
for  his  bride,  to  bring  to  grace  and 
glory. 

3.  That  Jesus  died  for  sinners,  and 
for  his  elect  sheep  only. 

4.  That  those  for  whom  he  did  not 
die,  had  no  cause  to  complain,  as  the 
law  under  which  they  were  placed 
was   altogether   reasonable. 

5.  That    Christ    would    always    call 


his  elect  to  him  while  on  earth,  be- 
fore they  died. 

G.  That  those  whom  he  predesti- 
nated, redeemed  and  called,  he  would 
keep  by  his  power,  and  bring  them 
safe  to  glory. 

7.  That  there  would  be  a  general 
resurrection,  both  of  the  just  and  the 
unjust. 

8.  That,  following  the  resurrection, 
judgment  would  commence,  when  the 
righteous  sheep  would  be  placed  on 
the  right  hand  of  Christ,  and  admitted 
into  life  eternal;  and  the  wicked  on 
the  left  hand,  doomed  to  everlasting 
fire. 

In  the  belief  of  those  articles,  and 
what  was  collateral  therewith,  I  be- 
gan my  ministerial  career  in  1774, 
with  but  very  little  thought  how  many 
and  weighty  the  consequences  of 
these  premises  were.  But,  now,  after 
an  experiment  of  fifty-seven  years, 
and  after  going  over  the  ground  thou- 
sands of  times,  with  all  the  research 
and  candor  in  my  power,  I  dare  not 
pull  up  stakes  and  make  a  new  start. 
Many  uncertainties  arise  in  my  mind, 
many  questions  spring  up  thai  I  can- 
not answer;  but,  every  other  system 
that  I  explore,  has  greater  difficulties, 
and  worse  conclusions." 


John  Gill 


Gill,  John  (1697-1771),  of  London, 
Eng.,  was  perhaps  the  most  learned, 
able,  sound,  upright  and  humble  Bap- 
tist minister  since  the  days  of  Paul. 
He  was  the  author  of  a  complete  crit- 
ical commentary  on  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments,  and  of  a  complete  Body 
of  Divinity,  and  was  the  only  man  that 
ever  hunted  and  drove  out  Arminian- 
ism  from  the  explanation  of  every 
verse  in  the  Bible — from  the  beginning 
of  Genesis  to  the  end  of  Revelation. 
Wm.  Cathcart,  author  of  the  "Baptist 
Encyclopedia" — a  New  School  work, 
says  that  Gill  "Knew  more  of  the 
Bible  than  any  one  else  with  whose 
writings  he  was  acquainted;  that  he 
was  a  man  of  great  humility,  and  one 
of  the  purest  men  that  ever  lived; 
that,  in  his  'Body  of  Divinity,'  the 
grand  old  doctrines  of  grace,  taken 
unadulterated  from  the  Divine  foun- 
tain, presented  in  the  phraseology  and 
with  the  illustrations  of  an  intellectu- 
al giant,  and  commended  by  a  wealth 
of  sanctified  Biblical  learning  on"y 
once  in  several  ages  permitted  to 
mortals,  sweeps  all  opposition  before 
them,  and  leaves    no     place    for    the 


blighted  harvests,  the  seed  of  which 
was  planted  by  James  Arminius  in 
modern  times."  How  sad  to  think 
that  the  great  body  of  New  School 
Baptists  of  today  have  repudiated 
Gills'  works,  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  the 
plain  teachings  of  the  Holy  Scriptures 
and  become  the  devoted  apostles  of 
James  Arminius!  Will  they  not  reap 
the  "blighted  harvests"  that  Cathcart 
says  is  the  fruits  of  Arminianism?  But 
this  New  School  author  further  says, 
"In  this  work  (Gills'  writings),  eter- 
nal and  personal  election  to  a  holy 
life,  particular  redemption  from  all 
guilt,  resistless  grace  in  regeneration, 
final  perseverance  from  sin  and  the 
wicked  one,  till  the  believer  enters 
paradise,  and  the  other  doctrines  of 
the  Christian  System,  are  expounded 
and  defended  by  one  of  the  greatest 
teachers  in  Israel  ever  called  to  the 
work  of  instruction  by  the  Spirit  of 
Jehovah."  Yet  how  soon  is  this  great 
teacher  in  Israel  set  aside  for  the  car- 
nal reasoning,  flesh  pleasing,  pride 
fostering,  God  debasing  and  man-ex- 
alting doctrines  of  James  Arminius? 
And  how  absurd  and  inconsistent  for 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


391 


the  New  School  denomination  to  claim 
John  Gill  and  many  other  Bible  Bap- 
tists when  they  deny  through  the 
press  and  in  the  pulpit  the  doctrine 
they  contended  for?  Only  a  short 
time  after  the  bones  of  this  wonder- 
fully gifted  servant  of  God  had  been 
laid  in  the  grave,  Andrew  Fuller  be- 
gan to  ponder  upon  the  expediency  of 
making   a   change    in    Baptist   tactics, 


and  after  years  of  heated  controversy 
with  his  brethren  led  the  majority  of 
those  professing  the  Baptist  name  in- 
to the  Arminian  camp.  I  have  given 
these  few  points  in  the  life  of  Gill  to 
show  that  he  preached  the  same  doc- 
trine and  contended  for  the  same 
practice  that  the  Primitive  or  Old 
School  Baptists  are  the  only  expo- 
nents of  today. 


Joseph  Charles  Philpot 


Philpot,  Joseph  Charles  (1802-'69), 
was  descended  by  both  parents  from 
Huguenot  or  French  Calvanistic  fam- 
ilies. His  health  was  always  delicate. 
He  was  a  distinguished  graduate  and 
feilow  of  Worcester  College,  Oxford 
University.  In  1872  while  acting  as  a 
private  teacher  in  a  wealthy  family  in 
Ireland  the  Lord  sent  upon  him  griev- 
ous afflictions  and  poured  upon  him 
the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplications, 
taught  him  his  sinfulness  and  blessed 
hina  with  a  hope  in  Christ.  Becoming 
satisfied  of  the  great  errors  of  the 
Established  Church  of  England,  he 
seceded  and  left  his  income  from  the 
"church"  and  resigned  his  university 
fellowship,  giving  up  every  worldly  ad- 
vantage for  conscience  sake.  He 
went   out   like   Abraham    of   old   "not 


knowing  whither  he  went."  About  six 
months  after  he  found  his  people  and 
was  baptized  by  Mr.  John  Wiarburton 
into  the  fellowship  of  the  Strict  Bap- 
tist Church  at  Allington.  He  was  the 
editor  of  "The  Gospel  Standard"  from 
1849  to  1869,  a  very  laborious  and  re- 
sponsible position,  that  Monthly  Mag- 
azine having  a  circulation  of  about 
10,000  copies.  He  was  a  strong  scrip- 
tural advocate  of  the  eternal  sonship 
of!  Christ,  of  the  three  oneness  of 
Jehovah  and  of  the  doctrine  of  pre- 
destination. "I  fully  believe"  says  he, 
"that  the  entrance  of  sin  into  the 
world  and  death  by  sin  was  accord- 
ing to  the  permissive  will  of  God,  for 
without,  it  could  not  have  entered, 
but  not  appointed  as  God  appoints 
good,  for  reason  as  we  may  this  would 
make  God  the  author  of  sin." 


Soul  and  Spirit 


"Q.  Are  the  soul  and  the  spirit  the 
same?  A.  The  same  words  in  the 
original  Hebrew  and  Greek  Scriptures 
are  rendered,  in  the  King  James  ver- 
sion, soul,  spirit,  mind,  heart,  under- 
standing, etc.,  and  they  are  generally 
used  to  denote  the  immaterial  think- 
ing principle  which  man  derived  di- 
rectly from  God  (as  distinguished 
from  the  body  that  was  made  out  of 
the  dust  of  the  earth),  and  which  re- 
turns directly  to  God  at  death  for  pri- 
vate, immediate  judgment  (Gen.  ii.  7; 
Eccles.  xii.  7,  14;  Matt.  x.  28;  Luke 
xxiii.  46).  Only  in  two  passages  of  the 
Scriptures    (1  Thess.  v.   23   and  Heb. 


iv.  12)  is  the  Greek  word  psuche 
(rendered  soul)  distinguished  from 
pneuma  (rendered  spirit) ;  and  when 
they  are  distinguished,  psuche  (soul) 
denotes  the  natural,  animal,  carnal, 
fleshy,  outer,  lower  qualities  or  oper- 
ations, and  pneuma  (spirit)  denotes 
the  moral,  spiritual,  inner,  higher 
qualities  or  operations,  of  the  one, 
indivisible  mind,  or  immaterial, 
thinking  principle  of  a  human  being 
— the  distinction  resembling  that  be- 
tween 'the  joint  and  marrow'  (which 
are  parts  of  the  same  body),  and  be- 
tween 'thoughts  and  intents'  of  the 
same  heart  (Heb  iv.  12)." — S.  Hassell 
in  Gospel  Message. 


Sunday 


Christ  particularly  honored  the 
first  day  of  the  week,  Sunday,  not 
only  by  rising  from  the  dead  on  that 
day,  but  also  by  repeatedly  visiting 
His  discip'es,  after  his  resurrection,  on 
that  day  (John  20:   19,  26).  The  Apos- 


tles too,  it  would  seem,  habitually  as- 
sembled on  that  day  .Acts  20:  7;  Cor. 
16:  1,  2;  Acts  2:  1).  The  day  of  Pen- 
tecost was  the  first  day  of  the  week, 
because  it  was  the  fiftieth  day  after 
the     resurrection     of   Christ,     which 


392 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


took  place  on  the  first  day  of  the 
week.  Without  any  formal  command- 
ment in  the  New  Testament,  but  no 
doubt  by  Divine  arrangement  (Eph. 
1:  10-13),  ever  since  the  resurrection 
of  Christ,  the  Christian  Church,  de- 
lighting to  honor  their  Lord,  has  ob- 
served the  Lord's  day,  the  first  day 
of  the  week,  as  the  Sabbath,  or  Holy 
Convocation  Day  of  the  New  Dispen- 
sation; but  Christian  forbearance  on 
this  subject  is  included  in  Rom.  14:  5, 
6,  and  Col.  2:    16,  17. 

In  remembrance  of  Christ's  resur- 
rection the  ancient  church,  like  the 
apostolic  church,  observed  the  first 
day  of  the  week  (or  Sunday)  as  a  day 
of  sacred  joy  and  thanksgiving,  of 
public  worship  of!  God,  and  of  collec- 
tions   for    the    poor;    but    neither    the 


ancient  nor  the  apostolic  church  ever 
called  that  day  the  Sabbath.  In  the 
year  321  Constantine  appointed  the 
first  day  of  the  week,  which  he  called 
"the  venerable  day  of  the  Sun,'  in 
reference  both  to  the  Roman  sun-god, 
Apollo,  and  to  Christ,  the  Sun  of 
righteousness,  as,  in  some  respects, 
a  day  of  rest.  He  forbade  the  sitting 
of  courts  and  military  exercises,  and 
all  secular  labor  in  towns  on  that 
day;  but  allowed  agricultural  labor  in 
the  country. 

Under  Moses — the  law  dispensation, 
labor  is  first.  Under  Christ — the  gos- 
pel dispensation — grace  is  first.  Christ 
deserves  the  first  of  all  things,  even 
the  first  day  of  the  week  for  special 
public  worship  of  His  matchless  name. 


The  Saved— The  Lost 


"Q.  Why  did  God  create  a  part  of 
mankind  to  be  saved  and  the  other 
part  to  be  lost  and  to  be  severely 
and  eternally  punished?  A.  The 
Scriptures  do  not  say  that  He  did, 
nor  have  1  ever  heard  a  Primitive 
Baptist  say  so.  The  Scriptures  de- 
clare that  God  created  man  in  His 
own  image,  very  good  and  upright 
(Gen.  i.  27,  31;  Eccles.  vii.  29);  and 
that  the  Creator,  who  is  righteous  in 
all  His  ways  and  holy  in  all  His  works 
does  not  compel  or  even  tempt  His 
creatures  to  sin  (Psalm  cxlv.  17; 
James  i.  13) ;  and  that  Adamb  the 
federal  head  and  representative  of  his 
race  (Rom.  v.  12-19;  1  Cor.  xv.  22), 
was  not  deceived  by  Satan  in  his 
transgression  of  God's  law,  but 
knowingly  and  deliberately  disobeyed 
the  divine  commandment,  thus  involv- 
ing all  his  posterity  in  a  state  of  sin 
and  condemnation  (1  Tim.  li.  14; 
Gen.  iii.  6:  17-19;  Rom.  v.  12-19);  and 
that  all  flesh  corrupt  their  own  way 
upon  the  earth  (Gen.  vi.  12;  Isa.  liii. 
6),  and  sin  against  the  light  of!  na- 
ture, reason,  and  conscience,  and  are 
therefore  inexcusable  (Rom.  i.  18-32: 
ii.  1-16),  and  are  guilty  before  God 
(Rom.  iii.  9-20),  so  that  salvation  can 
only  be  of  God.'s  sovereign,  free,  and 
unmerited   grace    (Rom.    iii.    21-31;    v. 


20,  21;  vi.  23),  which  He  has  a  per- 
fect right  to  give  to  His  own  loved 
and  chosen  people,  while  He  has  an 
equal  right  to  leave  others  to  go  in 
their  sins  and  justly  to  perish  and  be 
punished  forever  because  of  their  own 
inexcusable  sins  (Rom.  viii.;  ix. ; 
Eph.  ii.;  Rev.  xxi.,  xxii.).  Every  hu- 
man being  will  be  finally  and  right- 
eously judged  according  to  the  deeds 
done  in  the  body  (Matt.  xxv.  31-46; 
John  v.  27-29;  Rom.  ii.  1-16;  2  Cor.  v. 
10;  Rev.  xx.  11-15;  xxii.  14,  15);  and 
all  whose  names  are  not  found  writ- 
ten in  the  Lamb's  Book  of  Life,  not 
redeemed  by  His  blood  nor  renewed 
by  His  Spirit  nor  conformed  to  His 
image  nor  living  soberly,  righteously, 
and  godly,  as  Christ  did,  in  this  pres- 
ent world,  will  be  justly  cast  into  the 
lake  of  fire,  which  is  the  second  and 
everlasting  death,  while  those  like 
Christ  will,  by  His  grace  and  by  vir- 
tue of  His  perfect  righteousness  im- 
puted to  them,  joyously  enter  into 
the  heavenly  and  eternal  city,  the  im- 
mediate and  manifest  presence  of  the 
Holy  and  Living  God,  where  all  the 
holy  angels  and  glorified  saints  will 
forever  dwell  (Rev.  xx.  14,  15;  xxi. 
27;  xxii.  1-15;  Rom.  viii.;  Eph.  i.  2; 
Thess.  i.;  ii.;  1  Pet.  i.,  ii.;  1  Cor.  1.; 
Titus  ii.,  iii.). — S.  Hassell  in  Gospel 
Messenger. 


Cain's  Wife 


"Q.  Who  was  Cain's  wife  (Gen.  iv. 
16,  17)?  A.  A  daughter  of  Adam, 
who  lived  930  years,  and  who  had  sons 
and  daughters  (Gen.  v:4-5).  The  very 
word    Adam     means     Man    or    human 


being,  and  is  so  rendered  362  times 
in  the  Old  Testament.  If  there  had 
been  men  before  Adam,  God  would 
not  have  said,  'Let  us  make  man  in 
our  image   (Gen.  i.  26) ;   and  it  would 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


393 


not  have  been  true  that,  before  He 
made  Adam,  'there  was  not  a  man  to 
till  the  ground'  (Gen.  ii.  5).  Paul  says 
that  Adam  was  'the  first  man  (1  Cor. 
xv.  45,  47) ;  and  that  in  Adam  all  men 
sinned  and  died  (Rom.  v.  12-21).  Even 
Abraham's  wife  Sarah  was  his  half- 
sister,  the  daughter  of  his  father 
though   not   of   his   mother    (Gen.    xx. 


12).  Afterwards,  when  the  human 
race  was  more  numerous,  the  mar- 
riage of  near  relations  was  forbidden 
by  God  (Lev.  xviii).  Nothing  is  known 
of  the  land  of  Nod,  where  Cain  settled, 
except  that  it  was  east  of  Eden;  it 
may  have  been  only  a  few  miles  from 
Eden."— rS.  Hassell  in  Gospel  Messen- 
ger. 


Church  Government 


The  so-called  Christian  churches, 
both  Catholics  and  Protestants,  are 
governed  by  three  principal,  or  gen- 
eral forms  of  church  government, 
viz: 

Bishops: — The  Catholic,  Episco- 
palian, Greek  church,  and  Methodist 
are  governed  by  Bishops. 

Presbyteries,  Synods  or  General  As- 
semblies:— The  Presbyterians  hold  to 
this    form  of   government;    while    the 


Lutherans  are  governed  by  a  combina- 
tion of  the  Presbyterian  and  the  Epis- 
copal form. 

Congregational: — Congregationalism, 
Baptist  and  many  other  sects  hold  to 
this  form.  They  maintain  that  each 
congregation  or  society  of  Christians 
is,  and  should  be,  independent  of  all 
others  in  its  ecclesiastical  power,  and 
should  be  bound  to  each  other  only 
by  the  cords  of  love  and  fellowship. 


Family  Worsihp 


"Q.  Ought  worship  to  be  kept  up 
in  our  families,  as  among  God's  peo- 
ple in  olden  times?  A.  The  decline 
of  family  religion  is  one  of  the  sad- 
dest marks  of  these  last,  evil,  and 
perilous  times.  True  religion  is  for 
the  individual,  the  family,  and  the 
community,  as  well  as  for  the  church. 
It  is  not  simply  for  public  use  on  one 
or  two  days  of  the  week.  It  is  the 
spiritual  life  of  its  possessor,  and 
should  be  manifested  continually  in 
our  dealings  with  God,  and  with  our 


families,  and  with  our  fellow  men. 
The  children  of  the  resurrection 
should  live  evermore  as  in  the  holy 
and  loving  presence  of  their  Heavenly 
Father,  for  the  benefit  of  their  fami- 
lies, and  others,  and  for  eternity. 
Family  worship  is  of  far  more  im- 
portance than  Sunday  Schools,  theo- 
logical seminaries,  and  protracted 
meetings.  Its  neglect  among  the  peo- 
ple of  God  is  a  sure  sign  of  their 
growing  worldliness,  covetousness, 
and  carnality. — S.  Hassell  in  Gospel 
Messenger. 


Crime  Increasing — Morals  Declining 


(From    The   Two    Witnesses    by 
,  Stewart.) 

Some  years  ago  Mr.  Geo.  F.  Ellis, 
an  aged,  well-informed  and  highly  re- 
spected minister  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  who  was  lo- 
cated in  Greensboro,  Hale  County, 
Ala.,  wrote  the  following,  which  was 
published  in  the  Greensboro  Watch- 
man: 

"WHAT  CAN   BE  THE  CAUSE? 

"It  is  often  asked,  Is  the  world 
growing  better?  The  answer  is  found 
in  the  painful  record  of  the  past  and 
present,  so  far  as  this  country  is  con- 
cerned. Petty  larceny,  grand  larceny, 


burglary,  arson,  highway  robbery, 
manslaughter,  murder  in  its  different 
degrees,  are  rife  everywhere.  The 
estimate  on  human  life  was  never*  so 
low.  These  crimes  are  not,  as  many 
suppose,  confined  to  railroads  and 
mining  districts.  They  are  committed 
everywhere,  and  with  more  immunity 
than    ever   before. 

"The  multiplication  of  crime  can 
not  be  accounted  for  simply  on  the 
ground  that  the  population  is  vastly 
increased,  and  modes  of  communica- 
tion are  more  rapid.  Take  both  of 
these  factors  into  the  account,  and 
still  to  any  intelligent  and  thoughtful 
mind,  the  increase  of  crime  is  more 
than  commensurate  with  the  potency 


394 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


of  the  causes  mentioned.  This  is  a 
subject  of  terrible  significance,  and  it 
is  time  that  the  press,  the  pulpit  and 
the  law-makers  of  this  land  were  con- 
sidering the  matter  with  pungent 
earnestness." — Geo.    F.    Ellis. 

C.  L.  Chilton,  who  has  already  been 
quoted,  in  a  private  letter  to  me  says: 

"For  my  part,  I  do  not  think  there 
is  any  doubt  as  to  the  general  deter- 
ioration of  morals  in  this  country, 
viewed  from  every  standpoint.  The 
consumption  of!  whiskey,  and  conse- 
quent drunkenness,  has  wonderfully 
increased.  Suicides,  homicides,  and 
the  general  increase  of  crime.  Di- 
vorces wonderfully  increased;  also 
prostitution  of  white  females." 

"In  Dodd,  Mead  &  Co.'s  New  'Inter- 
national Encyclopedia,'  just  publish- 
ed, it  is  said  in  volume  V.,  pages  443- 
446,  under  the  caption  'Criminology': 
'The  question  whether  crime  is  in- 
creasing has  been  very  widely  dis- 
cussed, pro  and  con;  there  appears  to 
be  a  general  opinion  among  experts 
that  it  is  increasing.  Certainly  crim- 
inal statistics  everywhere  seem  to 
bear  out  this  view,  with  the  possible 
exception  of  England;  and  even  there 
Mr.  W.  D.  Morrison  maintains,  in  his 
book  on  'Crime  and  Its  Causes,'  the 
total  volume  is  on  the  increase.  Ac- 
cording to  the  eleventh  census  of  the 
United  States  (the  census  of  1890), 
it  appears  that  the  criminal  class  in 
our  country  has  increased  from  1  in 
3,500  of  the  population  in  1850,  to  1 
in  786.5  in  1890,  or  445  per  cent,  while 
the  total  population  has  increased  but 
170  per  cent   m  the  same  period." 

Hassell,  in  his  Church  History,  page 
642,  says: 

It  is  certain  that  in  the  United  States 
since  1850  crime  has  greatly  increased. 


The  ninth  census  gives  these  figures: 
Prison-        Ration  to  Pop- 
Year.,  ers.  ulation. 

1850 6,737         1   out  of   3,442 

1860 19,086         1   out   of   1,647 

1870 32,901         1   out  of   1,172 

"And    the    tenth    census    gives    the 
following: 
1880 59,255         1   out   of       860 

"The  tenth  census  strangely  dou- 
bles the  number  of  prisoners  for  1850 
and  1860.  Thus,  according  to  the  fig- 
ures in  the  ninth  census,  crime  in- 
creased in  the  United  States,  from 
1850  to  1880,  four  times — and,  accord- 
ing to  the  figures  in  the  tenth  census, 
two  times — as  fast  as  the  population; 
and  it  is  very  remarkable  and  a  very 
lamentable  fact,  that  during  the  same 
period,  from.  1850  to  1880,  the  profes- 
sion, without  the  evident  possession 
of  Protestant  Christianity,  increased 
from  3,529,000  to  10,065,000— almost 
in  a  three-fold  proportion;  while  the 
Catholic  population  increased  from 
1,614,000  to  6,367,330— almost  in  a 
fourfold  proportion.  The  increase  of 
crime  is  attributed  to  the  eight  mill- 
ion foreign  immigrants  that  came  into 
this  country  from  1850  to  1880  and  to 
the  Civil  war  in  1861-64;  but  the 
tenth  census  makes  crime  somewhat 
less  in  1870  than  in  1860,  though 
much  greater  in  1880;  and  it  is  known 
that  murders,  for  instance,  have  ter- 
ribly increased  in  the  last  four  years, 
from  1,266  in  1881  to  3,337  in  1884; 
and,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that 
nearly  all  the  youthful  population  is 
now  sifted  through  the  Sunday 
School,  the  age  of  criminals  is  grow- 
ing   constantly    less." 

It  would  appear  from  the  foregoing 
that,  speaking  paradoxically,  the  bet- 
ter people  get  the  worse  they  are. 


The  Hireling 


fc  (Joh.,  10,  12,  13.) 

"I  live  with  the  lonely,  and  move  with 
the  throng; 

I  stay  with  the  weak,  and  abide  with 
the   strong; 

I  advocate  morals  and  love  of  the 
state, 

Whether  with  the  humble,  or  among 
the  great; 

I  sanction  the  Bible  and  all  it  con- 
tains, 

With  all  its  great  beauty  and  sancti- 
fied strains; 

While,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  must  frank- 
ly confess, 

I  do  its  doctrines  most  heartily  detest. 


"I  have  my  great  system,  down  to  a 
science, 

On  which  I  depend  with  greatest  re- 
liance, 

I'm  full  of  plans  and  schemes  and 
means  without  end, 

To  fleece,  gull  and  delude  the  children 
of  men: 

If  one  scheme  should  fail,  I  then  try 
another, 

And  care  not  which  so  the  money  1 
gather; 

Hence  you  see,  I  must  study  the  min- 
istry 

Well,  to  succeed  in  my  work  of 
iniquity. 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


395 


"I  tell  the  people  that  they  ought  to 

pay  tithes, 
And  prove  it  by  resting,  and,  brethren 

most  wise, 
For  upon  this   one   thing   I   am   fully 

bent, 
To  get  from  the  good  people,  at  least 

the  tenth:  , 
Of  course  I  want  more,  but  must  keep 

things  polished, 
And  never  let  them  know  tithe  laws 

were  abolished 
By    Christ  the    High    Priest,    and   the 

sinner's  best  friend. 
And   of   law;    for     righteousness,    the 

last  great  End. 

"In  the  name  of  the  gospel  I  preach 

the  law, 
And  few  of  the  people  ever  see  the 

flaw. 
I  quote  the  Bible,  but  ring,  twist  and 

pervert, 
And  this  is  the  way,  I  the  people  sub- 
vert. 
I  quote  part  of  a  verse  and  leave  the 

rest  out, 
And  deceive  the  people  by  appearing 

devout, 
And  teach  them  that  salvation  is  just 

with  man, 
While  the  Lortl  will  save  all  of  them, 

if  He  can. 

I  preach  that  which  all  men,  by  na- 
ture, believe, 

And  this,  all  such  people  most  gladly 
receive; 

For  this  I  know,  and  have  it  on  my 
docket, 

I  must  please  man  to  get  into  his 
pocket. 

I  boast  of  our  number,  wealth  and 
refinement; 

Of  our  wisdom,  and  religious  ad- 
vancement; 

And  of  all  people,  most  heartily  dis- 
dain 

Those  strange  persons  that  dare  God's 
truth  to  maintain. 


Above  all  things,  I  most  fear  true  ex- 
planation, 

Honest  inquiry  and  investigation, 

Which  I  shun,  keep  down  and  the 
people   deceive, 

By  "all  is  right  that  they  honestly 
believe:" 

Thus  I  delude  many,  the  aged  and  the 
youth, 

And  cause  them  to  hate  him  that  tells 

them  the  truth; 
And  you  see,  with  feigned  love,  zeal 

and  a  frown, 
Lead   them    to   believe  he  is   running 

them   down. 

I  beg  for  myself  in  the  name  of  the 

Lord, 
And  by  many  such  schemes,  the  money 

I  hoard, 
As  I  have  found  out  by  means  of  good 

merit, 
The  way  to  get  gain,  in  on  the  Lord's 

credit. 
I  criticise  folks,  for  their  love  of  the 

pelf, 
But  the  main  thing  I  want  is  money 

for  self, 
Though  it  worries  me  much,  and  taxes 

my  might, 
To  keep  with  the   people,   this  thing 

out  of  sight. 

It   is   more   blessed   to   give   than    to 

receive, 
For   this   the   Lord   said,    and   quickly 

they  believe. 
They  do  the  giving  and  I  the  receiv- 
ing, 
So   I   get   money   out   their  believing. 
This  is  the  truth,  and  I  want  you  to 

keep  it, 
And  not     let     the     people     into   my 

secret; 
But  if  it  gets  out,  I  will  give  it  the 

lie, 
And,    in  truth,   for  money  the   louder 

I'll  cry." 


The  Serpant  and  Eve 


"Q.  Wno  was  the  serpent  that  be- 
guiled Eve  in  the  Garden  of  Eden? 
Was  he  an  ape  or  some  being  in  the 
shape  of  a  man?  A.  Not  only  the 
primary  meaning  of  the  word  render- 
ed 'serpent'  in  Gen.  iii.  (the  hisser), 
but  a'so  the  curse  pronounced  upon 
him  by  the  Lord  in  Gen.  iii.  14,  15, 
and  the  language  of  the  Apostle  Paul 
in  2  Cor.  xi.  3,  and  that  of  the  Apos- 
tle John  in  Rev.  xii.  9  and  xx.  2  prove 
that   it   was     a   literal     serpent   that 


tempted  Eve;  and  the  language  of 
John  in  these  two  passages  of  Reve- 
lation and  that  of  Christ  in  John  viii. 
44,  prove  that  the  Devil  possessed  the 
body  of  the  serpent  and  was  the  real 
tempter,  just  as  he  possessed  the 
bodies  of  men  and  of  swine  during 
Christ's  ministry  on  earth.  Through- 
out the  East  a  serpent  is  considered 
an  emblem  of  the  Devil,  because  of 
its  stealthiness,  horriblesness,  poison 
and  malignity. — S.  Hassell  in  Gospel 
Messenger.  , 


396 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


Melchizedek 


"Q.  Who  was  Melchizedek?  A. 
Melchizedek  is  mentioned  in  Gen. 
17-20,  Psalms  ex.  4,  and  Heb.  vii.  1-3, 
and  seems  alluded  to  in  Zech.  vi.  1-3. 
He  was  an  actual  person,  the  type  of 
Christ,  a  priest  of  the  Most  High  God, 
and  king  of  righteousness,  also  king 
of  Salem  or  peace.  Salem  was  an 
early  name  of  Jerusalem;  and  a  later 
king  of  Jerusalem  (then  called  Jebus) 
was,  in  the  time  of  Joshua  (x.  1) 
Adonizedek,  whose  name  means  lord 
for  righteousness.  In  the  cruciform 
tablets  recently  discovered  at  Tel  el- 
Amarna,  in  Upper  Egypt,  it  is  shown 
that  salem  or  Jerusalem  was  a  very 
ancient  city  and  had  a  temple  of  the 
Most  High  God,  and  that  its  ruler  was 
a  priest  king.  In  the  oldest  translation 
of  the  New  Testament,  the  Syriac 
version  made  in   the   second   century, 


the  third  verse  of  the  seventh  chap- 
ter of  Hebrews  reads  as  follows: 

"Of  whom  neither  his  father  nor 
his  mother  are  written  in  the  genealo- 
gies; nor  the  commencement  of  his 
days,  nor  the  end  of  his  life;  but, 
after  the  likeness  of  the  Son  of  God, 
his  priesthood  remaineth  forever."  In 
the  mystery  of  his  person,  and  in  be- 
ing both  a  king  and  a  priest,  and  in 
having  no  predecessor  or  successor, 
no  known  beginning  or  end  in  his 
priestiy  office,  and  in  being  king  of 
righteousness  and  peace  and  of  Jeru- 
salem, and  in  being  superior  to  Abra- 
ham (Abraham  paying  him  tithes) 
and  in  bringing  forth  bread  and  wine 
(emblems  of  the  Lord's  supper)  to 
Abraham,  and  in  blessing  Abraham, 
he  was  like  Christ. — S.  Hassell  in  Gos- 
pel Messenger. 


The  Negro 


"Q.  Should  a  person  who  denies 
that  a  negro  has  a  soul  be  appointed 
by  a  church  to  the  deaconship,  or  or- 
dained by  a  presbytery,  or  retained  in 
that  office  by  a  church?  A.  He 
should  not;  for  he  is  not  sound  in  the 
faith  (1  Tim.  3:8-13).  The  weak  and 
wicked  falsehood  that  negroes  have 
no   souls   and   are   not,   therefore,   hu- 


man beings,  would,  if  fully  carried 
out,  release  them  from  accountability 
for  crime,  and  would  justify  the  other 
varieties  of  the  human  race  in  treat- 
ing them  as  beasts;  and  this  despica- 
ble falsehood  is  a  contradiction  of 
some  of  the  clearest  statements  of 
the  Scriptures,  such  as  Psalms  68: 
31;  Acts  8:26-40;  17:  26;  Rev.  5:9  — 
S.  Hassell  in  Gospel  Messenger. 


"Federal  Council  of  the  Churches 
of  Christ" 


During  December,  1908,  there  met 
in  Philadelphia  four  hundred  dele- 
gates of  thirty-two  Protestant  denorni- 
inations,  representing  eighteen  mill- 
ions of  communicant  church  members 
and  a  family  constituency  of  more 
than  half  the  population  of  the  United 
States,  with  the  purpose  of  cooper- 
ating for  speedy  evangelization  and 
salvation  of  the  world.  The  following 
denominations  were  represented:  — 
"The  various  Baptist  churches,  the 
Christian  connection,  the  Congrega- 
tional churches,  Church  of  the  Disci- 
ples, Evangelical  Association,  Evan- 
gelical German  Synod,  Society  of 
Friends,  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church 
the  Mennonites,  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  North,  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South,  and  both  African  fel- 
lowships of  Methodists,  Methodist 
Protestant  Church,  Moravian  Church, 


the  Presbyterian  churches,  Protestant 
Episcopal,  Primitive  Methodist,  Re- 
formed churches,  Reformed  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  Seventh-Day  Baptists, 
United  Brethren,  United  Evangelical 
Church,  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and   Welsh   Presbyterian   Church." 

This  union  movement  of  all  the 
Protestant  churches  is  on  a  line  with 
a  similar  movement  of  all  those 
churches  at  Shanghai,  China,  April 
25,  1907,  under  the  title  of  "The 
United  Protestant  Church  of  China." 
The  object  is  the  combination  of  all 
their  money  and  efforts  in  the  Home 
and  F'oreign  Mission  Fields  for  hast- 
ening the  Christianization  of  the  hu- 
man race. 

The  Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptist 
churches,  knowing  that  salvation  is 
of  the  Lord,  have  nothing  to  do  with 
this  grand   Protestant  federation    (Jo- 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


397 


nah  2:9;  Matt.  1:21).  They  can  not 
compromise  one  particle  or  divine, 
unchanging,  and  eternal  truth  (Psalm 
117:2;  2  Tim.  3:16,  17;  Jude  3);  and 
maintaining  thaJ  Truth  in  all  its  in- 
tegrity, they  feel  that  they  must  keep 
separate  from  the  world  (Lev.  20: 
24,  26;  2  Cor.  6:14-18),  "do  justly, 
love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly  with 
their  God"  (Micah  6:8),  "live  soberly, 
righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present 
world*'  (Titus  2:12),  proclaim  without 
money  or  price,  by  their  ministry  and 


by  their  lives,  the  loving  and  holy  gos- 
pel of  the  Son  of  God  to  all  who  have 
ears  to  hear,  eyes  to  see,  and  hearts 
to  understand  (Isa.  53,  54,  55,  61; 
Matt.  10:8;  11:28-30;  28:  18-20;  Rev. 
3.22;  22:17),  glorify  God  by  obedi- 
ence and  submission  to  Him  (Luke 
2:14),  and,  "as  they  have  opportunity, 
do  good  unto  all  men,  especially  unto 
them  who  are  of  the  household  of 
faith."  (Gal.  6:10).— 'S.  Hassell  in  Gos- 
pel Messenger. 


Reverend 


The  term  "Reverend,"  has,  in  mod- 
ern times,  taken  the  place  of  the  New 
Testament  term  Elder.  Primitive  or 
Old  School  Baptist  are  about  the 
only  people  who  hold  to  the  term 
Elder  for  distinguishing  the  Pastor. 
They  do  not  want  any  high-sounding- 
titles  applied  to  them.  To  apply  rev- 
erend to  men  appears  to  them  bigot- 
ry, pride  and  a  species  of  robbery. 
This  word  is  used  but  one  time  in 
the  Bible  (Psalms  111.  9.),  and  then 
in    connection   with   the   Lord's   name 


only.  And  when  inspiration  says 
"Holy  and  reverend  is  his  (God's) 
name;"  to  change  it  and  say,  "Holy 
and  Reverend"  is  the  preacher,  is 
robbing  God  of  His  name,  to  satisfy 
man's  vanity.  As  well  say,  "Holy  Mr. 
Smith,"  as  say  "Reverend  Mr.  Smith." 
Protestants  have  borrowed  this  and 
many  other  unscriptural  customs  from 
the  Catholics.  May  God  enable  us  to 
reverence  Him,  and  like  Elihu  (Job 
32:21,  22),  not  give  flattering  titles 
to  men. 


God  is  Not  Author  of  Sin 


I  cannot  conceive  of  a  more  horri- 
ble falsehood,  or  a  more  abominable 
blasphemy,  than  the  declaration  that 
God  is  the  author  of  sin.  It  is  not 
Christianity,  but  it  is  fatalistic,  pan- 
theistic, heathenish,  diabolical  philos- 
ophy. There  is  no  more  sense  than 
there  is  truth  in  saying  that  sin  is  a 
creature  of  God.  Sin  is  the  transgres- 
sion of  the  law  of  God,  and  therefore 
not  a  creature,  but  the  act  of  a  crea- 
ture. God  created  man  in  His  own 
image,  and  therefore  without  sin.  The 
evil  which  God  creates  in  His  holy 
providence  is  not  sin,  but  the  dark- 
ness and  suffering  which  are  the 
righteous  punishment  of  sin.  Not  by 
God,  but  by  man,  sin  entered  into  the 
world,  and  death  by  sin  (Rom.  v.  12). 
God      is      infinitely,      essentially,    un- 


changeably, and  eternally  holy,  "the 
Sun  of  Righteousness,"  "the  Father 
of.  lights,"  "in  whom  is  no  darkness  at 
all,"  "of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold 
iniquity,"  and  cannot  be  tempted 
with  evil,  neither  tempted  He  any 
man,"  much  less  does  He  compel  any 
creature  to  sin.  Sin  is  the  rebellion 
of  the  creature  against  the  Creator, 
and  is  described  as  "the  abominable 
thing  which  God  hates"  (Jer  xliv.  4), 
and  which,  if  unrepented  of  and  unfor- 
saken  and  unatoned  for,  He  will  punish 
with  everlasting  tire  (Matt,  iii,  12,  xxv, 
41-48;  Rev.  xx:  15).  Not  for  a  moment 
will  a  faithful  Church  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  tolerate,  in  any  of  its 
members,  the  blackest  of  all  false- 
hoods and  blasphemies,  that  God  is 
the  author  of  sin. — S.  Hassell  in  Gos- 
pel Messenger. 


"Our  FuneraP 


It  is  falsely  said,  by  those  who  have 
been  charitably  preaching  our  funeral 
for  the  last  fifty  years,  that  the  num- 
ber of  Primitive  Baptists  is  decreas- 
ing, and  all  will  soon  be  dead  and 
gone.  Their  number  increased  in  the 


nineteenth  century,  in  about  the 
same  proportion  as  the  population.  In 
1800  there  were  about  10,000  when 
the  entire  population  of  the  United 
States  was  about  5,000,000;  and  in 
1880  there  were  about  100,000,   when 


398 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


the  entire  population  was  about  50,- 
000,000.  It  is  a  remarkable  coinci- 
dence that  this  proportion — about  one 
in  500 — was  about  the  same  as  that 
of  7,000  who  had  not  bowed  the  knee 
to  the  image  of  Baal,  in  Elijah's  time, 
to  the  entire  population  of  the  king- 
dom of  Israel  of  about  3,500,000.  We 
had  in — 1880 — in  round  numbers, 
about  1,500  Elders,  3,000  churches, 
240  associations,  and  100,000  members 


in  the  United  States.  "We  have  now — 
1906 — about  125,000  communicants. 
Our  statistics  cannot  be  correctly 
gathered  as  many  of  our  ministers 
are  averse  to  giving  out  statistics,  it 
appearing  to  them  to  be  done  from  a 
spirit  of  pride.  The  census  report  of 
1896  gives  the  statistics  of  the  Prim- 
itive Baptists  in  the  United  States  as 
follows : 


Organiza- 
State.  tions. 

Alabama    360 

Arkansas     121 

Delaware     6 

District  of  Columbia    ,  2 

Florida     67 

Georgia    483 

Illinois 160 

Indiana    144 

Iowa 34 

Kansas     , 19 

Kentucky     225 

Louisiana    43 

Maine     3 

Maryland     16 

Massachusetts     1 

Mississippi    109 

Missouri    129 

Nebraska     2 

New  Jersey    4 

New   York    31 

North  Carolina  311 

Ohio    139 

Pennsylvania    15 

South  Carolina   . 23 

Tennessee     316 

Texas     159 

Virginia     234 

West    Virginia    65 

Wisconsin     4 

Totals     3,222 


Church 

Value  Church 

Communi- 

Officers. 

Property. 

cants. 

325 

$125,364 

14,903 

93 

29,032 

2,994 

7 

19,000 

183 
34 

65 

27,525 

1,997 

475 

210,455 

18,535 

132 

93,100 

5,301 

128 

123,550 

7,078 

15 

9,950 

853 

7 

10,100 

438 

208 

151,425 

10,665 

42 

18,955 

1,602 

3 

3,300 

137 

15 

27,950 

373 

1 

5,500 

10 

104 

38,600 

3,259 

93 

33,975 

3,763 

1 

800 

40 

4 

3,000 

258 

26 

84,000 

1,019 

294 

129,698 

11,740 

138 

123,190 

4,252 

10 

14,100 

313 

23 

7,050 

531 

290 

147,455 

13,972 

91 

34,575 

4,201 

191 

93,205 

9,950 

64 

24,700 

2,777 

4 

4,500 

128 

2,849 


$1,649,827 


121.347 


But  it  can  be  truthfully  said  that 
the  number  of  our  communicants  does 
not  represent  our  strength  in  senti- 
ment and  belief.  There  are  thousands 
of  people  who  will  join  no  other 
church  because  they  believe  our  doc- 
trine, and  will  not  join  our  church 
because  of  a  feeling  in  themselves  ofi 
unworthiness,  unfitness,  etc.,  and 
again,  children  of  Primitive  Baptists 
are  not  brought  up  in  the  church  as 
children  of  many  denominations  are, 
but  are  taught  lessons  of  morality, 
truthfulness  and  honesty;  and  that  to 
avoid  hypocrisy  a  change  of  heart 
and  a  belief  of  the  truth  must  pre- 
cede a  profession  of  religion.  Thus 
our  numbers  are  not  swelled  with 
professors  in  name  only  who  have 
not  been  killed  to  the  love  of  sin;  and 


it  is  safe  to  assume  that  there  are 
many  more  people  who  believe  the 
truths  we  preach  and  practice  than 
we  ourselves  sometimes  suppose,  or 
our   enemies   will   admit. 

These  facts  and  figures  are  given — 
not  in  a  proud  or  boastful  spirit — but 
as  a  matter  of  defence  against  the 
many  false  prophecies  and  misrepre- 
sentations of  our  people.  Our  doctrine 
of  grace  excludes  boasting  and  we 
have  nothing  to  boast  of  but  the 
wonderful  works  of  God.  And  so  far 
as  numbers  are  concerned  we  know 
that  God's  manifest  people  have  al- 
ways been  few  in  number.  It  was  said 
of  God's  ancient  people:  "The  Lord 
did  not  set  his  love  upon  you,  nor 
choose  you,  because  ye  were  more  in 
number  than  any  people;  for  ye  were 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


399 


the  fewest  of  all  people."  Deut.  7:7. 
And  again,  "Fear  not,  little  flock;  for 
it  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to 
give  you  the  kingdom."  Luke  12:32. 
He  who  goes  to  the  Bible  for  his  relig- 
ious faith  cannot  expect  the  majority 


to  be  right.  The  majority  was  not 
right  in  the  days  of  Noah — in  the  be- 
ginning of  the  Christian  era, — nor  need 
we  expect  them  to  be  on  the  side  of 
truth  when  Christ  shall  again  come. 


400 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


Names  of  About  Eight  Hundred  of  Our 

Ministers  Whose   Sketches  Do 

Not  Appear  in  This  Work 


A. 

Adams,   Noah. 
Anderson,,  C.  W. 
Atkins,   A.   V. 
Abbott,    Absalom    A. 
Adams,  Joshua. 
Alberty,  N. 
Allsberry,   Brice. 
Anville,  S.  H. 
Ashbrook,    Tunis. 
Ambrose,    James. 
Arnold,  John. 
Ausraus,  Henry. 
Almon,  D.  B. 
Allison,   J.   P. 
Almon,  W.  D. 
Akers,   J.   J.  , 

Agee,  W.   D. 
Ashbrook,  Eli. 
Anderson,    George. 
Angel,  Bachary. 
Alexander,  H.  H. 
Alderman,   E.   D. 
Ambrose,    J.    J. 
Armstrong,  J.  D. 
Allen,  L.  C. 
Abernathy,  B.  L. 
Abernathy,  J.  T. 
Almand,  J.  F. 
Almand,   W.   T. 
Agee,  H.  F. 
Abbott,  W.   G. 
Abbott,    J.    H. 
Abbott,   D.   J. 
Adams,   J.   A. 
Adams,  B.   A. 
Arnett,.   Reuben. 

B. 

Biggs,   Stephen. 
Burnson,  H.   S. 
Barker,  John. 
Biggs,  Asa. 
Boxley,  J.  S. 
Biddy,  J.  J. 
Badger,   John  A. 
Badger,  J.   N. 
Bennett,  A.  H. 
Battle,  L.  W. 
Butler,  John. 
Bowden,  W.   A. 
Brown,    Elias. 
Bullock,   J.   A. 
Bell..  Asa. 
Bell,  W.  F. 


Butler,    J.    L. 
Bennett,    Phillemon. 
Bowen,   John. 
Bennett,    Moses. 
Beaver,    James. 
Bolinger,   J.   R. 
Brazil,  H.  M. 
Biggs,  Asa. 
Baker,  Jessie. 
Byrd,   J.   J. 
Baker,   Thos. 
Brown,  W.  S. 
Barton,,  John  M. 
Battle,    J.    R. 
Britian,   Thos. 
Baker,   J.   W. 
Bray,   C.  D. 
Bogwell,  L.  E. 
Bodine,    W.    H. 
Beene,   Samuel. 
Bowen,  John. 
Boone,  Thomas. 
Bennett,    Mitchell. 
Bowden,  W.,  A.   • 
Bridges,  Wm. 
Barrett,  M.  L. 
Barrett,   Willie    L. 
Bell,  W.  R.  i 
Barrow,    Josephus. 
Brittain,   Emanuel. 
Brown,    George. 
Barker,  D.  G. 
Best,   J.   D. 
Battle,  J.  E. 
Brumlow,   W.   E. 
Burtram,  J.  M. 
Bogwell,    J.   M. 
Burson,    G.    W. 
Bright,    T.   J. 
Bray,  B.   R. 
Brooks,  W.  D. 
Blanton,   J.  E. 
Bird,   N.   B. 
Bryan,   Gardner. 
Brown,   C.   C. 
Boucher,  J.  H. 
Boyd,  J.   L. 
Buchanan,    L.    T. 
Brown,    J.    B. 
Blankenship,  E.  D. 
Bryant,  R.  A. 
Ballard,    C.   P. 
Boothe,   G.  W. 
Britton,   J.   «. 
Beard,   A.   P. 
Barker,  J.   L. 


Bartlett,    E.    B. 
Bell,  J.   D. 
Badger,  J.   N. 
Bartley,   M. 
Bond.    C.    W. 


Curtis,  John  D. 
Cate,  Noah. 
Cook,   O.   H.   P. 
Casog,  F.  M. 
Canter,   J. 
Crecelius,  J.   G. 
Crawford,,   "Wi. 
Carawan,    George. 
Carpenter,    G.    A. 
Campbell,    Hiram. 
Cleveland,   C.   C. 
Conner,    Daniel. 
Carter,   David. 
Compton,    Wallace. 
Cole,  A.  A. 
Carroll,  W.   W\. 
Croft,   Wm.    R. 
Colley,   Joel. 
Carr,  Thos. 
Caudle,  Wm. 
Cherry,    Jonathan. 
Carraway.,  Green. 
Caudill,   S.   C. 
Cowan,   J.    S. 
Candler,    Richard. 
Connor,  John. 
Crow,    Wm. 
Castleberry,    J. 
Carlisle,   R.   W. 
Chandler,    WI.    D. 
Curington,    J.    G. 
Cool,    Herbert. 
Chandler,  J.  D. 
Cleveland.    Cromwell. 
Cornell,.   W.    I. 
Cambers,    D.    G. 
Counts,  S. 
Crow,  Wm. 
Crocker,    Thomas. 
Crumpler,    John. 
Coggins,    George. 
Clayton,   J.   T. 
Chandler,  T.  B. 
Carnes,    Thos. 
Cook,   T.   A. 
Cooper,    W.   J. 
Cowart,   W.    H. 
Cbitty,    J.    A. 
Cowan,   J.    S. 


APPENDIX  A  NO  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


401 


Creel,    J.    M. 
Campbell,    Wi.    Wt 
Compton,    M.    L. 
Childers,  J.   J. 
Carter,   David. 
Cadwell,    B.    C. 
Camp,   B.    M. 
Cook,  J.  H. 
Cook,   R.   L. 
Chapman,    G.    R. 
Coleman,    J.    W. 
Chandler,    Z.   I. 
Campbell..  G.  W. 
Covington,    H.    J. 
Cashion,  W.  A. 
Chilton,  W.  B. 
Corum,  L.   R. 
Collins,  J.   F. 
CaWe,    Jas    A. 
Crawford,   W<.    R. 
Capps,  Isaac. 
Darnell,  W.   I. 
Cubbage,   B.  E. 


Duke,  Jno.   M. 
Dickey,  John. 
Deatherage,  J.  E. 
Downing,   J.   B. 
Dupree,   Thomas. 
Davis.,  J.   J. 
Daniel,  Moses. 
Davis,  David. 
Drake,    Thos.    G. 
Daniel,   George. 
Daniel,   Benton. 
Daniel,   T.   L. 
Doyle,  David. 
Dodd,    W.    H. 
Duke,  John. 
Dickson,  J.  J. 
Dupree,  Benj. 
Dobbs,  Joseph. 
Dobbs,  Wm. 
Davis,  Wm. 
Dickey,  J. 
Duty,   J.    H. 
Dyles,    J.    M. 
Dukes,    Matthew. 
Doolin,   J.   M. 
Derviel,  A.  J. 
Douthit,  I.  E. 
Davis,  G.  G. 
Daniel,  W.  R. 
Daily,.  J.  T. 
Denton,  J.  B. 
Duncan,    S.   B. 
Dowdell,    John. 
Dody,  C.  G. 
Deardoff,    John   R. 
Dabley,   Jasper. 
Dyer,  Geo.  F. 
Dail,  Nelson. 

E. 

Eubanks,   J.    G. 
English,   Sampson. 


Evans,    John    M. 
Ewell,   James. 
Edon,  J.  G. 
Evers,    T.    S. 
Evans,   L.   F. 
Everett,  J.  T. 
Etheridge,    D. 
Eubank,    B.    F. 
Estes,  C.  W. 
Eshee,  J. 
Edwards,    Geo. 


Furr,  Joseph. 
Fisher,   John. 
Franklin,    Henry. 
Flinchum,   J.  Wl 
Fuller,   H.   G. 
Foster,   T.   J. 
Feeds,  Jas. 
Fry,    John. 
Farmer,   Amos. 
Fulch,    J.   W. 
Fiedler,    Ezekiel. 
Furr,,  Joseph. 
Fraley,    Isaac. 
Fleener,   W.   L. 
Fastner,    S.    R. 
Furgerson,  W.   T. 
Fritts,  W.  A. 
Faqua,   J.   M. 
Fyffe,   W.    H. 

G. 

Girard,   G.   R. 
Guyman,  Isaiah. 
Gibson,   M.   M. 
Goodwin,   W.   H. 
Galloway,    C.    P. 
Guthrey,   Isham. 
Gore,   G.   W. 
Gammon,,  Wi.   H. 
Griffith,   W.   D. 
Grimsley,  T. 
Gilbert,  S.  H. 
Gardner,  W.  Z. 
Galston,    H.    L. 
Gwaltney,  H.  J. 
Gower,   D.    S. 
Garreth,  J.  J. 
Graves,  A.  L. 
Gilliland,    Isaac. 
Griffith,   J.   M. 
Goodman,  J.  M. 
Groover,   R.  J. 
Guard,   S.   W. 
Gunter.,  J.  M,. 
Gentry,   Isaac. 
Griffin,    James. 
Grimsley,  T. 
Gates,  Wm.  B. 
Gamron,   O.   B. 
Griffin,   Lanier. 
Greenlaugh,  John. 
Goforth,    A. 
Griffin,    L.    F. 


Grafton,  A.  F. 
Gotcher,  J.  H. 
Gunn,    Moses. 
Grimsley,    Thos. 
Good,    Joseph. 

H. 

Hassell,,   J.    V. 
Helton,  H.  D.  S. 
Haney,    J.   A. 
Howard,    Riley. 
Hill,  W.  B. 
Hay,   W.    H. 
Hill,  S.  A. 
Howard,    H.    B. 
Hedges,    M.    F. 
Herrioge,  J.  "Wj. 
Hull,   W.    C. 
Harris,,  V.   R. 
Hubbard,  W.   H. 
Hamrick,   W.   R. 
Hembree,  A. 
Holland,  J.  E. 
Hamrick,   R.   S. 
Hamrick,  N.  A. 
Hatch,   B.   R. 
Harill,    E.    J. 
Hall,  J.  H. 
Henson,   J.   M. 
Hodges,  E.  J. 
Hollingsworth,  A. 
Hollingsworth,  S.  J. 
Holland,   E.    S.  Wi. 
Hall„  J.  B. 
Hogarth,   E.   A. 
Harrelson,    B.    H. 
Hunt,  M.  M. 
Hess,  Wto. 
Hanaker,   Robt. 
Hembree,    O.    F. 
Harwood,   W.    J. 
Harris,  M.   A. 
Hardesty,   Wm. 
Hardesty,    B.    F. 
Handcock,   W.    P. 
Hardy,   N.   B. 
Hunt,  J.  H. 
Hylton,    Jacob. 
Hanover.,  J.    C. 
Hanover,  J.  B. 
Henson,  Newt. 
Human,    B.    H. 
Hardy,   M.   B. 
Hale,  Jeremiah. 
Harris,   W.   F. 
Hall.   A.   A. 
Hudleston,  J.  D. 
Hauck,  Simeon. 
Harrison,   T.  F. 
Hutchinson.   T.   W. 
Hubbard    Wm. 
Halsey,    Wm. 
Harris.    Joshua. 
Hunt,   Henry. 
Hickey,    John. 
Hudleston,   John   B. 
Hull,  W.  J. 


402 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


Hart,   R.   D. 
Hanes,   H.   G. 
Hill,    Robert. 
Hewit,  J.   C. 
Harrell,   R.   W. 
Honk,  A.  J. 
Honk,  H.   P. 
Harper,   Thos. 
Hammond,  A.    H. 
Helm,  Joel. 
Hartley,  G.  W: 
Ham,   Heyard. 
Harper,  James. 
Hudgens,    John    C. 
Hull,  E.  Z. 
Halcombe,   Elihu. 
Helm,  R.  T. 
Holt,    Samuel. 
Haynes,  Henry. 
Hopkins,   Chas. 

I. 

Isom,  Reuben. 

J. 

Jenkins,    Franklin. 
Jessie,   B.   V. 
Jewett,    Daniel    E. 
James,  R.  A. 
Jordan,    T. 
Jackson,  Wi.  H. 
Jones,  J.  R. 
Johnson,   A.   D. 
Johnson,    J.   H. 
Jordan,  T.  J. 
Jordan,  A.  J. 
Jackson,   G.    M. 
Jones,  W.  C. 
Joiner,  E.  J. 
Jones,  J.  C. 
Jeffers,  W.  S. 
Jones,  S.  B. 
Johnson,  A. 
Janway,  James. 
Jones,   Hugh. 
Jones,  John. 
Jordan,  J.  T. 
Jones,  Archibald. 
Joyner„  Benj. 
Jones,  William. 
Johnson,  J.  F. 
Johnson,   P.   G. 
Johnson,  J.  p. 
Jones,  Anderson. 
Jones,  B. 
Johnson,  J.  A. 

K. 

Kemper,    Peter. 
Kickliter,   Andrew. 
Keeton,  Ward. 
King,  J.  R. 
Kilgore,  W.  S. 
Knight,.  A.    A. 
Kerr,  E.  L. 


Kitts,  A.  M,. 
Kagy,   Lewis. 
Kirk,  C.  W. 
King,    Alfred. 
Kenny,   E.    M. 
Kagy,   Lewis. 
Kemper,   C.  W. 
Kindershat,   Samuel. 
Koen,   A.  P. 
Kyle,   S.  C. 
Keetor,  A. 
Kinder,,  John. 
Keel,  J.  I. 


Lee,  James. 
Lee,  G.  B. 
Lilly,  J.  W. 
Loving,  J.  R. 
Lackey,   J.   E. 
Lomox,   J.   W. 
Langstown,  A.  B. 
Langdon,  M.  J. 
Latham,   Jas.    H. 
Leonard,  W.  H. 
Levi,  Gilbert. 
Livsey,  J.  M. 
Laws,.   R.    B. 
Lamon,    Samuel. 
Long,  J.  B. 
Lord,  J.   F. 
Lovett,  Jno. 
Lawson,  J.  M. 
Luther,   A.  J. 
Lyon,  J.  P. 
Loder,  F. 
Louthan,   Harry. 
Lipps,    M.   T. 
Lawson,   T.   J. 
Lawson,   Win. 
Luce,,  Wm. 
Lancaster,  Wm. 
Lilly,   Daniel. 
Lawrence,  J.  M. 
Lynn,  Wm. 
Lion,  W.  A. 
Lumpkin,    Geo. 
Logow,    Wm. 
Lewis,   John. 
Little,   N.  W. 

M. 

Minter,  W.  S. 
Mayfield,    James. 
Martin,  John. 
Masters,.  D.   M. 
Morris,  Joseph. 
McKasky,  Eli. 
Marcum,   H.   C. 
McDonald,  Wm. 
Martin,   G.  W. 
Moneyham,    D.   M. 
Marshall,    D.    W.    M. 
Merrell,   W.   P. 
McGarity,  J.  C. 
Moore,    Wm. 
Meadro,  B.  F. 


McCauly,    J.    S. 
McCoy,   Melvin. 
Meads,,  John  S. 
Mizzell,   A.   D. 
McMillin,   W. 
Moon,  Isaac  N. 
Manor,  G.  A. 
Maxey,   S.   A. 
Melton,  C.   C. 
Mathews,   D.   M. 
Moss,  J.  F. 
McGee,  John. 
McKinny,  B.  B. 
Massey,   Chas. 
McLain,   B.  A. 
Moon,  J.W  . 
Moody„   Wm. 
Mellott,  J.  C. 
Meredith,   W.   W. 
Merrell,   W.   P. 
McBee,  Samuel. 
Moore,  D.   R. 
Maples,  A. 
Mayo,  G.  T. 
Mahurin,  W.  'H. 
Maples,  Peter. 
Montange,    Thos.    B. 
Miller,  H.  B. 
Martin,   H.   B. 
Martin,    Reason. 
Moran,,  Wm. 
Moran,  A. 
Myers,  John  H. 
Murphy,   G.  W. 
Miller,  James. 
McDonald,   G.  W. 
Middlebrook,   J.   F.' 
Morrison,   Wm. 
Mauk,  J.  R. 
Mullens,    B.    E. 
McMahan,    Samuel. 
Moore,   T.   A. 
Murray,   Geo. 
Maples,  M.   C.   C. 
Meadows,,  E.   A. 
Melton,  A.  W. 
Murry,   J. 
Mathews,   J.   D. 
Murray,   J.   Mj. 
Moore,  M. 
McQueen,   Minor. 
McConnell,    Wm. 
Moore,  Elijah. 
Martin,    Thomas. 
Martin.    Benjamin. 
Meredith.    Samuel. 
Main,  S"  C. 
MabUron.  A.  H. 
McCoy.,  Pallas. 


Osborn,   W.    H. 
Osborn,    Wm. 
O'Neal,   J.   D. 
Owens,  John. 
Ogle,  I.  L. 
Olis,  John. 


APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


403 


Odell,    Isaac. 
Odell,   O.  E. 
Osborn,  James. 
Owen,  John. 
Oliver,   Z. 
O'Steen,  J.  A. 
O'Kelly,  W.  P. 


Polk.,  W.   W, 
Price,  "William. 
Posten,   Elias. 
Peterson,    T. 
Page,   B. 
Phillips,   H.   H. 
Phillips,  S.  H. 
Parrish,   H.  W. 
Peden,  J.  O. 
Poe,   J.  W. 
Parker,  N.  V. 
Pennington,    S.   E. 
Presley,  J.  C. 
Prater,  W.  J. 
Pead,.  W.   H. 
Prewett,  G.  W. 
Pirkle,  E.  J. 
Plybon,  S.  O. 
Peel,  J.  W. 
Pope,  J.  A. 
Paine,  L.  C.  D. 
Parker,   Simon. 
Phillips,   H.   H. 
Pursley,  T.  K. 
Plaster,    Clairborne. 
Patton,  A.  H. 
Phillips,  N.  G. 
Pelam,  Chas.  S. 
Poynter,  D.   T. 
Polsom,  Wesley. 
Poate,   S. 
Phillips,  W.  L. 
Pettus,   S.   L. 
Pope,  W-  C. 
Pope,   J.   A. 
Papasan,  R.  F. 
Pennington,  I.   L. 
Patman,  D.  W. 
Parks,  Simpson. 
Perry,  Wm.   B. 
Porder,  David  I. 
Pensan,    Allen, 
palmer,,  Wait. 
Peters,  L.  C. 


Richards,   Louis. 
Riner,  W>   W. 
Rustin,   J.   L. 
Robinson,   E.   R. 
Reagan,  A.  H. 
Reaves,  James. 
Ross,   John  L. 
Rowe,  J.  W. 
Ross,   C.  L. 
Ruffner,    L.    T. 
Roberts,  S.   C. 


Robberts,  Nathan. 
Riffle,    Gabriel. 
Reed,   Corwin. 
Read,  Jessie. 
Riley,  Jared  . 
Ruckman,    Joseph. 
Rogers,  J.  P. 
Rowe,  John  of  Ga. 
Rogers,    Timothy. 
Riener,  W.  W. 
Ross,  Lemuel. 
Roberson,  T.  L. 
Ross,   R. 
Ring,  James. 
Reeves,  M.  C. 
Roberts,,  J.  H. 
Rushton,  W.  R. 
Reynolds,   S.   H. 
Rhoden,  W.   R. 
Randolph,    Henry. 
Rose,  Thos. 
Robinson,  E.  R. 
Robinson,  Martin. 
Ring,  Jas.  H. 

S. 

Sparks,  John. 
Stilley,  Stephen. 
Stephens,   Thos.    P. 
Simmons,,  W.   L. 
Stipp,  J. 
Stout,  Ezra. 
Stanford,  J.  W. 
Samford,    T.    I. 
Smith,  M.  W. 
Starling,  L. 
Strickland,    W^    P. 
Smith,   W.   K. 
Spinks,  J.   D. 
Stinnett,  J.  S. 
Salyer,  F.  M. 
Stout,   C. 
Sheffield,  D.  B. 
Spence,  J.   B. 
Stinson,  J.  T. 
Skeen,  J. 
Shelton,   J.   S. 
Shaw,  John  A. 
Sharp,  G.   M. 
Stuckey,   C.   F. 
Stultz,    B.    L. 
Shields,  Wv  H. 
Simmons,  W.  L. 
Struble,  J.   M. 
Spencer,  J.  W. 
Smith,  W.  D. 
Stacy,  Greenville. 
Skogg,   J.   H. 
Skogg,    P.    J. 
Skogg,  Thomas. 
Starling,  B.  L. 
Stevenson,   Moore. 
Speight,  R.  T. 
Sterry,  John. 
Sisk,  H. 
Stewart,  David. 
Sisk,  Allen. 


Stoaler,  John. 
Swindel„  Albin, 
Smiley,  A. 
Simmons,  D.  W. 
Skinner,    Ruben    I. 
Smith,   J.   W. 
Sumner,   Owen. 
Sumner,  David. 
Simmons,  Wm.   L. 
Sawyer,  Caleb   T. 
Smith,    Josiah. 
Slaughter,  W.  W. 
Sherwood,  Jordan. 
Seely,  J.  T. 
Stamper,  John. 
Smith,,  R.  B. 
Simmons,  Thos.  W. 
Sizemore,   Geo. 
Sparks,  J.  R. 
Simpson,  Wm. 
Sammons,    Jas. 
Shields,  J.   J. 
Seitz,   Lewis. 
Staton,    G.   W. 
Sammons,   J.   A. 
Senter,  Drewery. 
Stamper,   Solomon. 
Schofield,    Daniel. 
Smith,,  J.   E.  W. 
Stallings,   T.   W, 
Stephens,    Jeremiah. 
Stinson,    J.    T. 


Terrell,    Elf, 
Thomas,    John    D. 
Tanner,    John. 
Tucker,    Henry    C. 
Taylor,  R.   C. 
Theobald.  J.  M. 
Thrash,  D.  M. 
Tucker,  B.  T. 
Tomberlin,  I.  A. 
Tolbert,  H.  R. 
Turner..  W,   C. 
Twilford,    M.    D. 
Tapping,  D.  Wu 
Taylor,    J.   W. 
Thomas,    H.    C. 
Tyler,    J.    W. 
Taylor,   J.   A. 
Tincher,    S.    P. 
Taylor,   John  H. 
Tatum,  Samuel. 
Teet,   H.   D. 
Temple,    H. 
Thomas,   L.    E. 
Thomas,    D. 
Tomlin,    Jessie. 
Tucker,    Crawford. 
Thompson,  Nathaniel. 
Thank,    R. 
Tabb,    Baley. 
Turner,   Chas.  L. 
Turnage,   John. 
Tyler,    Willett. 
Thomas,   Zachariah. 


404 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


Tacket,   Wjm. 
Tomberlin,    W.    H. 
Tommay,    Hiram. 

V. 

Vermillion,   Joel. 
Vass,   Thos.    S. 
Vaughan,   C.   W. 
Van  Home,  Wm. 
Vinson,    McCallister. 
Verell,  E.  Mi. 
Vickers,  W.  R. 
Vickers,  Thos. 
Van,   Bush. 

W. 

Witt,  P.  A. 
Wisdom,   F   .'M. 
Wolverton,   A. 
Worm,  A.  J. 
Williams,    S. 
Whitehead,   C.   C. 
World,  W.  W. 
Williams,    John   G. 
Webb,  E. 
Whitford,   Bryan. 
Whitaker,    Wm. 


White,  H. 
Wilkinson,   H.   B. 
Whitten,   James. 
Ward,  Luke. 
Wood,  R.  M. 
Wiseman,  Z. 
Witham,  James. 
Wicker,    J.    D. 
Whitfield,    Lewis. 
Wills,  Thos.  W. 
Wood,    R.    T. 
Wann,   A.    J. 
Walter,  T.  N. 
Woodall,  D.  F. 
Waters,   T. 
Whitley,   Wm. 
Whitford,   Bryan. 
West,  Miles  F. 
White,    J.    B. 
Weaver,   G.   S. 
Whitworth,    C. 
Wallace,    John. 
Walters,    S.    T. 
Weaver,    Othniel. 
White,  J.  J. 
Walker,  John  P. 
Wilkes,  Samuel. 
Wright,    Samuel   H. 


Welsh,    Thomas. 
Wyatt,  J.  M. 
Williams,  J.  M. 
Wingate,  B.  R. 
Ward,  E.   S. 
Williams,  J.   J. 
Walton,  J.  C. 
Wallis,  G.  H. 
Walden,  W.  T. 
Wright,  W.  S. 
White,  V.   B. 
White,  W.  D. 
Webb„  A.  J. 
West,  W.  W, 
Waddle,  Geo. 
White,  F.   M. 
Wood,  D.  T. 
Wilson,   John. 
Wheeler,  John  R. 
Wheeler,  J.  W. 
Williams,    M.    A. 


Yoeman,  A.  J. 
Yoeman,  Wm. 
Young,  Jacob. 
Yates,  J.  H. 
Young,  M.  E. 


APPENDIX  AND  USEFUL  INFORMATION 


405 


Publish  bg  out  ptoph  in  tlje  fofrttB?  of  tljr  infinite 
of  (Boh,  our  &amoitr  ano  tljr  prarttr?  of  tlj? 
Apostoltr  (UJjurrlj  as  maintain^  bg 

Jlrimttitt?  or  (§lft  ^rtjoni  lapiist 


ESTABLISHED  1878. 

Published  Monthly  $1  per  year- 
Six  copies  a  year  for  $5. 


The  Gospel  Messenger. 

Sylvester  Hassell,  Editor  and  Proprie- 
tor, Williamston,  N.  C. 
MOTTO:  "Speaking  the  Truth  in  Love." 


Conducted   for  the  dissemina- 
tion of  pure,  Scriptural 
and  eternal  truth. 


ESTABLISHED   1832. 

Published  Semi-Monthly  at 
per  year. 


The  Signs  of  the  Times. 

F.   A.   Chick,  Hopewell,     N.   J.,    and 
H.  C.  Ker,  Middletown.  N.  Y.,  Editors. 


The  oldest  Old-School   Baptist 
paper  in  the  United 
States. 


ESTABLISHED  1885. 

Published   Monthly  at   $1    per 
year. 


The  Primitive  Monitor. 

R.  W.  Thompson,  Editor  and  Proprie- 
tor, Greenfield,  Ind. 


Motto— "On  Earth  Peace, 
Good- Will  Toward  Men." 


ESTABLISHED  1854. 

By    Elder    John    Clark.     Pub- 
lished Monthly  by  Mr. 
J.  G.  Wiltshire 


Zion's  Advocate. 

Dr.   C.   H.  Waters,    Editor,    Washing, 
ton,  D.  C. 


The  second  oldest  Primitive  or 
Old    School    Baptist  pa- 
per in   the  U.  S. 


ESTABLISHED   1867. 

Published   Semi-Monthly   at 
$1.50  per  year. 


Zion's  Landmark. 

P.  D.  Gold,  Editor,  Wilson,  N.  C. 

Motto  — "Ask  for  the  Old  Paths  where 
is  the  Good  Way." 


Ably  edited  for  past  40  years 
by  Elder  Gold,  who  is  doubtless 
the  oldest  continuously  active 
editor  among  our  people. 


ESTABLISHED  1897. 

Published   Monthly    at  $1   per 


The  Messenger  of  Truth. 

F.  P.  Brascome,  Editor  and  Proprietor, 
Laurel  Fork,  Va. 


Motto— "Thy  word  is  a  lamp 

unto  my  feet,  and  a  light 

unto  my  path." 


ESTABLISHED   1886. 

By  Elder  S.  F.  Cayce. 

Published   weekly    at    $1    per 

year. 


The  Primitive  Baptist. 

C.  H.  Cayce,  Editor,  and  Proprietor. 
Martin,  Tenn, 


Lee    Hanks,    Editor    Southern 

Department,  Macon,  Ga. 

Motto— "On    Earth    Peace, 

Good  Will  Toward  Men." 


ESTABLISHED   1874. 


Published    Semi-Monthly,   at 
$1.25  per  year. 


The  Messenger  of  Peace. 

Walter   Cash,  Editor   and    Proprietrr. 

St.  Joseph,  Mo.  . 
Essentials  Maintained.     Hurtful  wars 

guarded  against. 


Motto— "Glory  to  God  in  the 
Highest,  and  on  Earth 
Peace,    Good-Will 
Toward  Man." 


ESTABLISHED   1891, 

Published  Weekly   at  $1   per 
year. 


The  Baptist  Trumpet. 

J.  G.  Webb,  Editor  and  Proprietor. 

Tioga.  Texas. 

Hew    to  the   line. 


ESTABLISHED  1898. 

Published  Monthly  at  $1  per 

year.     Fifty  cents  in 

clubs  of  five. 


Foot  Prints  of  the  Flock. 

J.  W.  Fairchild,  Editor  and  Proprietor. 
Urbanette,  Ark. 


Motto— "For  if  the  Trumpet 
give  an   uncertain  sound 
who  shall  prepare  him- 
self to  the  battle." 


Motto— "If  thou  know  not 
O  thou  fairest  among,  wo- 
men, go  thy  way  by  the  foot- 
steps of  the  flock." 


ESTABLISHED    1907. 

Published  monthly  at  $1  per 
year. 


Spiritual  Law  Counsel. 

J.   D.    Cockram.    Woolwine,    Va,,    and 
Dr.  J.  C.  Hurst,   Roanoke,  Va., 
Editors. 


Motto— "For  the  law  of  the 
Spirit  of  Life  in  Christ  Jesus 
hath  made  me  free  from  the 
law  of  sin  and  death." 


ESTABLISHED  1900 

Published  Monthly  at  Fifty 
Cents  a  year. 


The  Youth's  Guardian  Friend. 

O.  F.  Cayce,  Editor,  Martin,  Tenn. 

Designed  to  promote  Morality. 
Especially  Beneficial  to  the  young. 


An   Educational   Magazine  of 

Pure  Morals  for  Home 

and  School. 


g 


408  APPENDIX    AND    USEFUL    INFORMATION 


FINAL  NOTICE. 


TTENTion  is  directed  to  the  list  printed  elsewhere  in  these 
pages,  containing  the  names  of  some  of  our  ministers 
whose  sketches,  for  want  of  sufficient  information,  could  not 
appear.  There  are  many  more,  of  course,  but  those  men- 
tioned came  directly  under  the  notice  of  the  Editor  in  the 
preparation  of  this  work. 

Now  if  the  reader  is  interested  in  this  work  of  Biography 
and  would  like  to  see  it  extended  kindly  send  the  Editor 
obituaries,  sketches,  or  any  reliable  information  of  any  minis- 
ter whose  name  appears  in  the  aVove  referred  to  list,  or  of  any 
other  Primitive  or  Old  School  Baptist  Minister  in  the  United 
States,  in  order  that  such  ministers  may  be  properly  repre- 
sented in  a  possible  enlarged  edition  of  this  work. 

R.  H.  PITTMAN, 

Luray,  Virginia. 


Date  Due 

«u 

ii 

[>  V"  0    >        Vif 
MAR  9  m 

MAY     9 

'APfl  5  t 

JUN   14 

DEC  07 

mm 

1999 

Library  Bureau    Cat.no.     1 137 


.6        P689  180532 

SCHOOt.  OF  RELIGION 


